MOMBASA, Kenya — DCP Leader Rigathi Gachagua has dismissed claims of disunity within the United Opposition, insisting that coalition principals remain aligned despite pursuing parallel political engagements across the country.
Speaking during a radio interview in Mombasa on Saturday, April 25, the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader said reports of friction among opposition figures were unfounded and misinterpreted normal political activity within a multi-party coalition.
“There is no division in the United Opposition. We have agreed to work together till the end,” Gachagua said. “But every leader here has their own party, and they each move to popularise their parties.”
Speculation over internal rifts had emerged after some opposition leaders skipped recent joint rallies. PLP Leader Martha Karua and Presidential aspirant Fred Matiang’i were notably absent from a political tour of Ukambani and coastal regions led by Gachagua and Kalonzo Musyoka.
While Gachagua and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka addressed supporters in Mombasa on Friday, April 24, Martha Karua was in Kirinyaga County, and Former CS Matiang’i in the Gusii region—fueling online speculation about possible cracks within the coalition.
However, Gachagua framed the separate appearances as a deliberate strategy rather than a sign of discord, noting that each leader is focused on strengthening their respective political bases while remaining committed to a shared national agenda.
“We remain one in our mission,” he said, reiterating that individual party mobilisation efforts should not be misconstrued as disunity.
The opposition bloc has positioned itself as a key challenger to President William Ruto ahead of the 2027 General Election, with leaders seeking to consolidate regional support while maintaining a united front on national issues.
In a sign of growing coordination, Gachagua announced that the coalition has endorsed Nyali Member of Parliament Mohammed Ali as its gubernatorial candidate for Mombasa County under the Wiper Patriotic Front ticket.
He explained that although Ali had initially intended to run under DCP, coalition leaders agreed that Wiper offered a more strategic platform for the coastal race.
According to Gachagua, similar consensus-based arrangements will be adopted in major urban centres to minimise internal competition among allied parties.
“We will replicate this model across cities to avoid unnecessary rivalry,” he said.
At the same time, Gachagua ruled out adopting formal zoning arrangements, distancing the coalition from previous political strategies used by parties such as ODM and UDA to allocate regions among partners.
