KALONZO -GACHAGUA LOCK HORNS FOR NAIROBI'S POLITICAL CONTROL

A fresh showdown is brewing inside the United Opposition after Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka publicly dismissed claims by Rigathi Gachagua that the two had sealed a power-sharing deal handing Nairobi to DCP.

The clash, which played out from two different pulpits on Sunday, 30, has exposed widening cracks in an alliance that had positioned itself as the main counterweight to President William Ruto.

Speaking at P.C.E.A. Kariobangi North, Gachagua told worshippers that he and Kalonzo had agreed on a Nairobi takeover plan that would see DCP dominate the capital in 2027.

He said their coalition was eyeing the governor, senator, women rep, 16 of the 17 MPs, and 75 of the 85 ward seats—insisting the Kariobangi Ward win was proof Nairobi had already shifted.

“This is the party of Nairobi, and we have a plan going forward… We have an agreement with the Wiper leader… to have the Governor, Woman Rep and Senator on DCP, while we have agreed, working with Wiper, to have at least 16 out of 17 MPs in our coalition,” he said.

For Gachagua, Nairobi is the centrepiece of DCP’s rapid rise and confirmation that ODM’s long hold on the city is fading.

But Kalonzo, speaking hours later at AIC Church in Mukuni, Machakos, firmly rejected the narrative, describing it as political mischief intended to fracture the Opposition.

“And let them stop that propaganda that Wiper will cede all Nairobi seats for DCP. They have to try everything, try to create conflict between Kalonzo and Gachagua. We will do the best we can,” he said.

Kalonzo said the claims were being fueled by panic after recent by-election upsets in Narok and other regions, where the Opposition performed unexpectedly well.

The conflicting statements have underscored a silent but growing rivalry over who commands Nairobi within the coalition.
To Gachagua, Nairobi is DCP’s new home turf; to Kalonzo, surrendering the capital is unthinkable and politically reckless for Wiper.

The result is a tension that neither side is openly admitting, but which is now spilling into public view.

At the Machakos event, Kalonzo same as the former DP also escalated his criticism of President Ruto, accusing him of direct interference in the Malava and Mbeere North by-elections.

“That one he knows. We have evidence that he called the Officer Commanding Station in some Mbeere stations, saying his candidate Leo Wamuthende must win. Direct interference,” he claimed.

He said some polling stations experienced intimidation and rushed tallying.

“One young lady in Mbeere said that Ruto's agents, led by CS Geoffrey Ruku, pressurised them… Instead of doing vote counting in several polling stations, they were rushed. There was no vote tallying. This is clear,” he added.

Kalonzo also rejected claims that Gen Z voters stayed away and are no longer reliable.

“They are still taking their time, because they are aware of the voter suppression, intimidation and bribery,” he said.

He accused state officials of using public funds and participating directly in campaigns, promising to reveal the officials involved.

“We also know that this is complete misuse of public resources… We are looking at all these holistically,” he said.

Gachagua’s renewed confidence over Nairobi was sparked by the decisive victory of DCP’s David Wanyoike in the Kariobangi North Ward by-election. The strong backing he enjoys from Embakasi North MP James Gakuya — widely seen as a potential Nairobi gubernatorial contender with deep support across Eastlands — has further emboldened his conviction.

However, both sides insist the alliance remains intact—but their contrasting messages paint a picture of a coalition wrestling with ambition to control the country’s most prized political territory.