Jubilee Party leader Fred Matiang’i has warned that Rigathi Gachagua’s approach to opposition politics could undermine efforts to build a united political front ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Matiang’i said remarks suggesting that only a handful of opposition leaders were needed to form the next government risked alienating other political players and deepening divisions within the coalition.
Speaking during an interview with NTV on Sunday, November 1, Matiang’i was responding to comments by Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Gachagua, who had said that he, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Linda Mwananchi Movement's Edwin Sifuna were enough to form the next government.
Gachagua had added that other leaders were free to join their political arrangement.
However, Matiang’i criticised what he described as an attitude of superiority, warning that it could make opposition unity difficult to achieve.
“That majoritarian arrogance and that particular pride is precisely what is going to split the opposition and make it very difficult for the opposition to come together,” he said.
The former Interior Cabinet Secretary called for a more inclusive political approach, insisting that no group or individual should feel excluded from discussions about the country's future.
“No Kenyan left behind. We must have everyone on board,” he said.
Matiang’i also rejected the idea of choosing a presidential candidate based on the numerical strength of ethnic communities.
He argued that leadership should be determined by a candidate's ability, integrity, qualifications and record rather than their ethnic background.
“The leadership and the future of our country is not a matter to be decided on ethnic balkanisation. It ought to be decided on the basis of capacity, not community. It is a matter of content of character, not cultural connections,” he said.
To reinforce his argument, Matiang’i recalled the 2007 post-election period, when political divisions along ethnic lines contributed to widespread violence and loss of life.
He warned against allowing similar attitudes to shape the country's political debate.
“If you remember in 2007, when we had challenges in this country, the whole politics started from that level of arrogance, which finally resulted in 41 versus 1, and caused so much pain and anguish in the country,” he added.
The Jubilee leader urged opposition politicians to focus on presenting their policies and past achievements to voters instead of treating ethnic communities as political bargaining blocs.
“Let us go out, sell our policies, put out our track record, talk to the people of Kenya, and then the people of Kenya, in their multiplicity, in their groups, in their economic activities, decide that we think this gentleman or that lady will lead us better,” he said.
Matiang’i said he and other opposition figures were advocating for a one-term government followed by positive change, arguing that political discussions should centre on solutions to the challenges facing Kenyans.
He also reminded opposition leaders that democratic principles require them to respect the voices of all citizens.
“We are a democracy. People's voice must be heard,” he said.
His remarks add to the growing debate over leadership, candidate selection and the shape of a possible opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 elections.
