Gachagua an obstacle to opposition unity, Tifa survey finds

By  Cecil Odongo

Reporter

Nation Media Group

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has emerged as the biggest obstacle to opposition unity ahead of next year's General Election, according to a survey.

At least 43 per cent of Kenyans blame him for divisions within the political outfit, according to the latest opinion poll by TIFA Research released on Thursday, November 12.

The study places President William Ruto a distant second as another source of divisions at 15 per cent, followed by Linda Mwananchi leader Edwin Sifuna at seven per cent and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka at six per cent.

Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino each scored four per cent, while retired President Uhuru Kenyatta garnered two per cent.

Ironically, Mr Gachagua, who has positioned himself as a champion of opposition unity, has repeatedly accused President Ruto of sponsoring smaller political parties in the Mt Kenya region to weaken his influence.

"Kasongo wants to divide us by bringing in wheelbarrow parties. I have started the journey to keep the opposition united and when I came from the US, I met Sifuna so that we can be united," Mr Gachagua said at a rally in Rongai, Kajiado County, two weeks ago.

The Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader has also accused some opposition politicians of being political passengers who want to ride on the efforts of others instead of consolidating their own support bases.

He recently argued that an alliance involving him, Mr Sifuna and Mr Musyoka had sufficient numbers to defeat President Ruto, regardless of the political positions taken by other opposition leaders.

Mr Gachagua has particularly taken issue with former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i and Democratic Party leader Justin Muturi, whom he has branded "lazy politicians" for allegedly waiting for him to mobilise votes before seeking the presidency.

He challenged the two to stop relying on hotel meetings, television appearances and public statements to build their political profiles, insisting that winning elections requires grassroots mobilisation.

Mr Gachagua also questioned Mr Muturi's political influence, citing the recent Mbeere North parliamentary by-election, where the Democratic Party candidate lost, despite DCP's victory in the Ol Kalou by-election.

"In Mbeere North, you were defeated even in your polling station. Yet you want to lecture me on how to look for votes? Give me a break," he said.

President Ruto, on his part, has accused his predecessor, Mr Kenyatta, of sponsoring efforts to unite opposition leaders against his administration.

Speaking in Kisii on Wednesday, November 11, the President challenged the former Head of State to stop operating behind the scenes and openly declare his political intentions.

"I have heard about that sponsor, my friend. Don't you know him? He has stopped being a statesman and has come down here as a broker. He is now trying to unite this one and that one. I am telling you, my friend, speed up your brokerage work. Look for the person you are looking for," said President Ruto.

He also questioned the opposition's ability to govern, accusing its leaders of spending too much time holding meetings in hotels and private residences in search of a joint presidential candidate.

"These people have lots of problems. For one and a half years, they have been naming this or that person as their candidate. Moving from one hotel to another, from one home to another, going round to funeral ceremonies. People who are just trying to find a single candidate take one and a half years; how will they have the brains to plan for 60 million people?" he posed.

Read: Inside Ida Odinga's loyalty pledge to ODM, Ruto after Raila event backlash

The TIFA survey also reveals sharp differences in the support bases of opposition leaders, particularly between Mr Sifuna and Mr Musyoka, suggesting that their potential alliance could face challenges in reconciling competing political interests.

In Ukambani, Mr Musyoka commands 80 per cent support, compared with Mr Sifuna's eight per cent. In Western, where the Nairobi senator is the leading presidential contender with 55 per cent, Mr Musyoka has no measurable support.

However, Mr Sifuna appears to enjoy broader support among the backers of Mr Gachagua and Dr Matiang'i.

In Mt Kenya, Mr Sifuna commands 32 per cent against Mr Musyoka's six per cent. In Nyanza, Dr Matiang'i has 12 per cent, Mr Sifuna 33 per cent and Mr Musyoka five per cent.

The party popularity ratings also underline the regional divisions within the opposition.

Wiper dominates Ukambani with 50 per cent support, while Linda Mwananchi has just five per cent. In Western, Linda Mwananchi commands 40 per cent, while Wiper and DCP have no measurable support. 

In Mt Kenya, DCP leads with 27 per cent, followed by Linda Mwananchi at 15 per cent, while Wiper has one per cent.

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