Gachagua Trolls ODM, Invites Sifuna & Owino to Join DCP’s Camp
The political landscape in Kenya continues to be a hotbed of intrigue and shifting allegiances. Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has ignited a firestorm this week, making a brazen and public overture to key opposition figures, underscoring the deep rifts emerging within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and the broader opposition.
Speaking on Wednesday while welcoming three newly elected Members of County Assembly (MCAs) into his fold—following victories in Kariobangi North and Narok North by-elections—Gachagua extended a direct invitation to two of ODM’s most influential young leaders: Senator Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino.
The DP urged the two youthful politicians to abandon ODM and either join his emerging political alliance, the Democratic Congress Party (DCP), or partner with the Kalonzo Musyoka-led Wiper party.
This strategic move is clearly aimed at undermining the opposition’s base, especially its vibrant youth wing.
Gachagua did not stop at an invitation; he coupled it with explosive accusations aimed at senior ODM officials. He alleged that veteran ODM leaders, including Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga and former Suna East MP Junet Mohamed, had accepted a “deposit” to hand the entire party structure over to President William Ruto’s camp.
The DP’s move: By suggesting that ODM’s top brass has already “sold out,” Gachagua attempts to position himself as the honest alternative for young leaders like Sifuna and Owino who might feel betrayed by the current party alignment.
The DP’s comments were immediately met with sharp condemnation from the ODM youth wing.
Kasmuel McOure, the ODM Youth League leader, dismissed Gachagua’s invitation and accusations with scathing remarks. McOure branded the Deputy President as an “impeached officer” and a “tribal bigot,” firmly rejecting the notion of switching alliances.
McOure reaffirmed the party’s unwavering loyalty to the current Broadbased Government formed after the historic 2025 deal between President William Ruto and the late opposition leader Raila Odinga.
This overture is more than just political noise; it’s a clear indication of Gachagua’s strategy for the 2027 General Elections. By openly welcoming opposition politicians, especially from the influential Luo Nyanza base, and simultaneously accusing senior opposition figures of corruption, the DP is attempting to:
- Deconstruct the Opposition Base: Isolate and neutralize influential voices in the ODM camp.
- Build a National Profile: Position his new alliance (DCP) as a viable alternative for leaders disillusioned by the Ruto-Odinga handshake.
As the political alliances continue to consolidate and shift following the 2025 deal, Gachagua’s invitation to the ODM youth is a significant, high-stakes move in the political chess game leading up to the next election cycle.
