‘Mark your territory’: Gachagua challenges Sifuna over Farouk, Atwoli attacks

NAIROBI,Kenya Oct 30 – Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has challenged Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna to assert his political influence in Western Kenya, telling him to confront critics attacking his leadership as he seeks to position himself for the 2027 presidential race.

Gachagua singled out President William Ruto’s aide Farouk Kibet, questioning why he had repeatedly attacked Sifuna without facing resistance from the senator’s supporters in the region.

Addressing Linda Mwananchi supporters, Gachagua said he had challenged Sifuna to demonstrate that he had consolidated support in Western Kenya, arguing that claims of political influence must be backed by action.

“I asked him, Sifuna, this journey of chasing Kasongo away, are you ready? He said yes. I asked him whether he had followers, and he said yes. I then asked him whether he had locked down Western Kenya, and he said yes,” Gachagua said.

“But I asked him, how have you locked it down when I see Farouk insulting you every day over there?”

He said Sifuna’s supporters should not remain silent when leaders attack him, urging them to confront those undermining the Nairobi senator’s political ambitions.

“Why does Farouk insult Sifuna while you remain silent? You people will fix that,” he said.

Gachagua’s remarks also appeared to target Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli, who has questioned Sifuna’s readiness to contest the presidency, arguing that the senator needs to build a stronger political network before seeking the country’s top seat.

Atwoli has previously questioned the timing of Sifuna’s presidential ambitions, arguing that he has yet to adequately prepare a team for a national campaign.

Gachagua, however, dismissed arguments that Sifuna was too young to seek the presidency, saying the Constitution allows any Kenyan aged 18 and above to contest the position.

He challenged Western Kenya residents to stand behind the senator and send a clear message to leaders who question his ambitions.

The former Deputy President also took aim at Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, accusing him of selling his Amani National Congress (ANC) party to President Ruto’s camp for Sh20 million.

Gachagua claimed he personally participated in negotiations surrounding the deal, saying he had advised Mudavadi to close the party and remain in government.

“Musalia formed a party called ANC, and he sold it. I was right there with him and Kasongo when he was summoned by Kasongo,” he said.

“I was the one who negotiated with Musalia on behalf of Kasongo. Kasongo bought that party for Sh20 million. How can someone who sold his party for Sh20 million preach to you?”

He also criticised National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, accusing him and Mudavadi of failing to deliver on promises made to Western Kenya in exchange for political support for Ruto.

According to Gachagua, the agreement included Wetang’ula becoming Speaker, Mudavadi being appointed Prime Cabinet Secretary and the region receiving 1,000 kilometres of new tarmac roads.

He challenged the two leaders to account for the promised infrastructure projects before asking Western Kenya residents to support the President again.

“Before telling us about Kasongo, build the 1,000 kilometres of tarmac road first, then come and speak to us,” he said.

Gachagua also sought to portray the emerging cooperation between himself, Sifuna and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka as a political alliance capable of challenging Ruto in the 2027 General Election.

He claimed that Sifuna had retained more than 80 per cent of ODM supporters following his fallout with the party’s establishment, while he had taken away 70 per cent of Ruto’s supporters after leaving government.

He argued that combining the support bases with Kalonzo’s Wiper would leave the President facing a united opposition.

“The day they pushed Sifuna, Sifuna left with everyone. Kasongo bought the old shell of ODM from Joho, Junet, Wanga and Oburu, but Sifuna left with over 80 per cent of the people,” he said.

“I left with 70 per cent of Kasongo’s supporters, and when we add Wiper, Kasongo is gone.”

The former Deputy President further accused Ruto of using handouts and development pledges to win political support, urging opposition supporters not to confuse receiving government assistance with political loyalty.

He narrated how residents in his Mt Kenya backyard had allegedly received electricity, water, mattresses, blankets, shoes and other benefits during the President’s visits but still voted against his preferred candidates.

Gachagua said voters should accept government assistance without feeling obliged to support the administration at the ballot.

Turning to the question of who should lead the opposition into the 2027 elections, Gachagua declared that he still harboured presidential ambitions but was prepared to support either Kalonzo or Sifuna if the coalition settled on them.

“I, Riggy G, want to be President of Kenya. I ask my brothers to look at me favourably, and if they endorse me, I will be happy,” he said.

However, he said he would not stand in the way of a different candidate if the opposition agreed on another contender.

“If they decide it is not me and choose Kalonzo Musyoka, my followers and I will support him unconditionally. If not Kalonzo and they choose Sifuna, I, Riggy G, will step up as the commander and director of the presidential campaign team to lead the campaign myself,” he said.

He promised to deploy his political networks to campaign for Sifuna should the senator secure the opposition’s presidential ticket, saying the alliance must prioritise unity over individual ambitions.

“If God grants him the ticket, this whole army that has troubled Kasongo for five months without him setting foot back in Mt Kenya will be assigned to him. We are one team,” he said.