Fresh cracks have emerged within the Opposition ahead of the 2027 General Election after Party of National Unity (PNU) leader Peter Munya launched a scathing attack on former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of intimidating fellow leaders and warning that his leadership style could undermine efforts to unite the Opposition.
Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV on Wednesday night, Munya claimed Gachagua had developed a pattern of using disrespectful language and confronting political allies instead of fostering cooperation.
"Gachagua is a bully. You saw when he talked about the Governor of Murang’a, calling him 'kiherehere', and the governor was attacked by goons when he went to Ol Kalou. We think he needs to act more responsibly when dealing with leaders and all human beings. Use your language more courteously, and you'll go further than you have gone," Munya said.
Munya urged the former Deputy President to embrace humility and treat fellow leaders with respect, arguing that courtesy and dialogue are essential in building strong political alliances, particularly in the Mt Kenya region where several leaders command significant public support.
He also accused the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader of sidelining leaders from parts of the Mt Kenya region, saying Meru deserves equal recognition because of its significant voting strength.
"Humble yourself and address other people with respect. Embrace a structured way of dealing with issues. Look at Meru. Apart from Kiambu and Nyeri, we are one of the biggest voting blocs in the region and, as such, you should not dismiss us and start treating us as children," he added.
The former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary declined to describe Gachagua as the political kingpin of the Mt Kenya region, saying no such official position exists, even though he acknowledged that the former Deputy President remains an influential political figure.
Munya also questioned Gachagua's suitability for the presidency, saying he would not support his bid for State House because his leadership style reflects the kind of authoritarian politics that many Kenyans want to leave behind.
His remarks come only days after Gachagua criticised PNU's performance in the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, claiming the party managed to secure only 28 votes because it failed to campaign effectively.
The comments also follow a recent disagreement sparked by Gachagua's call for smaller Opposition parties to dissolve and merge with the Democracy for Citizens Party. Although he later said his remarks had been misunderstood, the proposal drew resistance from several leaders within the Mt Kenya region.
The latest exchange highlights growing tensions within the Opposition coalition as parties position themselves ahead of the 2027 elections. Gachagua has also faced criticism from other leaders in recent weeks, including Kitutu Chache South MP Anthony Kibagendi, who urged him to stop intimidating politicians into supporting his political agenda.