NAIROBI — In a blistering attack launched from the pulpit of a Kasarani church, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused President William Ruto of orchestrating a covert campaign to dismantle the opposition by poaching its key pillars ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Speaking on Sunday at the Christian Dominion Ministries, a defiant Gachagua claimed the Kenya Kwanza administration has deployed state machinery to trail and woo Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, in a desperate bid to isolate the emerging "United Opposition" front. The allegations mark a significant escalation in the political war between the President and his former deputy, signaling that the battle lines for 2027 are already being drawn in blood and betrayal.

The 'Divide and Rule' Strategy

"There have been many efforts by Ruto and his allies to woo Kalonzo Musyoka, with people trailing him everywhere and inviting him to join them," Gachagua told the congregation, his tone grave. He characterized the overtures not as genuine coalition-building, but as a tactical maneuver to weaken the checks on government power.

Gachagua, who now leads the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), dismissed these attempts as futile, invoking a deep personal bond with the Wiper leader. "The relationship between Kalonzo and I is not about leadership or politics; it is about family. Blood is thicker than water. We will not be separated," he declared, asserting that the opposition would field a single, united candidate to face President Ruto in 2027.

This narrative of unity comes at a fragile time for the opposition. With the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM)—now under the stewardship of Senator Oburu Oginga—facing internal pressure to cooperate with the government, Gachagua is positioning himself and Kalonzo as the last line of defense against a de facto one-party state.

The 'Fire Sale' of State Assets

Beyond the political maneuvering, Gachagua pivoted to a hit that lands closer to the mwananchi’s wallet: the alleged sale of strategic state corporations. He painted a grim picture of an administration stripping the country of its crown jewels to plug fiscal deficits.

• Safaricom Shares: Gachagua alleged the government sold shares at KES 34, significantly undervaluing them against a market potential of KES 70–80.
• The Loss: He estimated this "fire sale" has cost the taxpayer approximately KES 250 billion.
• Strategic Assets: He further claimed that Kenya Pipeline and Kenya Ports Authority are being lined up for similar disposal without adequate public participation.

"It is like having a high-yielding cow at home," Gachagua illustrated, using a metaphor that resonates deeply with rural Kenya. "This cow provides milk for your children, but you sell it and have nothing to feed them. You eat the food, but you have no cow left to milk."

The Battle for Nairobi

The former DP also unveiled a strategic pact with Wiper focused on seizing control of Nairobi politics. Under the agreement, Gachagua’s DCP will field candidates for Governor, Senator, and Woman Representative in the capital, while supporting Wiper in its strongholds. This move is a direct challenge to the ruling coalition's grip on the city's vast resources and voting bloc.

"We want the face of Kenya in Nairobi," Gachagua asserted, warning that if ODM continues to drift towards the government, the United Opposition will move on without them. "If they decide to follow Ruto, then we cannot help them."

As the political temperature rises, the message from Kasarani is clear: the opposition is regrouping, and they are betting on economic grievances and political loyalty to turn the tide. Whether this "family" bond can withstand the immense pressure of the state machinery remains the defining question of the next two years.