Party of National Unity (PNU) leader Peter Munya has ruled out supporting Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua for the presidency, accusing the former Deputy President of displaying dictatorial tendencies and using language that undermines fellow opposition leaders instead of bringing them together.
Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV's JKLive on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, Munya said Gachagua's conduct towards other leaders was worrying and urged him to change his approach if the opposition was to remain united ahead of next year's General Election.
"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 in a more courteous manner. You'll go further than you have gone," Munya said.
Munya said his position was informed by what he described as Gachagua's leadership style, arguing that the opposition could not campaign against what it considers poor leadership in government while tolerating similar behaviour within its own ranks.
"That's why I am hoping he [Gachagua] is not a presidential candidate, because I would not support that kind of a person to run the country," Munya said during the broadcast.
He maintained that Gachagua had exhibited the same traits the opposition has accused President William Ruto's administration of displaying.
"Those dictatorial tendencies are the same ones we are saying we don't want in the current government. How can you call people miti, walking like sticks? I think there is something wrong with him and he needs to address that very urgently," Munya added.
The former Cabinet Secretary also dismissed suggestions that his criticism was driven by personal differences, saying he had never quarrelled with Gachagua and even shared a close relationship with the former deputy president's late brother.
"There was a time when he was the Deputy President. I have never had any issues with him; I have never quarrelled with him. I was one of the best friends of his late brother. I went to visit his brother in hospital in the UK. Immediately he was elected, he went to Meru and publicly said Munya is a msaliti. He needs to walk slowly," Munya stated.
Despite his criticism, Munya acknowledged Gachagua's role in exposing what he termed as failures within President William Ruto's administration, saying the opposition still wanted to work with him provided he changed his approach.
"We don't have anything personal against Gachagua; we respect him. He has done a lot of work in terms of exposing the failures of the current government. We respect him and want to work with him, but the tendency to want to be a dictator and issuing threats to other people, he needs to stop it," he added.
Munya, however, expressed confidence that opposition parties could still forge a united front before the 2027 General Election, saying discussions on cooperation had already begun.
"Twelve months is a long time in politics. We can unite as the opposition, and in fact, that process has already begun. To create an environment where we can work together, we must reduce the bravado, name-calling and condescending language in our politics," he said.
His remarks came after a fresh political exchange sparked by Gachagua's comments following the Democracy for Citizens Party's victory in the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election.
The former Deputy President has repeatedly called on political parties in the Mt Kenya region to rally behind one political vehicle, saying a united front would strengthen the region's bargaining power ahead of the General Election.
However, the proposal has been rejected by leaders of established parties, who argue that every political outfit has the right to remain independent and should not be pressured into joining another party.
Speaking at his Wamunyoro home after hosting a delegation from Murang'a County on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, Gachagua dismissed reports that he had directed smaller parties such as PNU and the Democratic Party to fold and join DCP.
He said the claims were false and had misled leaders, including Peter Munya and Democratic Party leader Justin Muturi.
Responding to criticism from the two leaders, Gachagua challenged them to first demonstrate political support before seeking talks on the presidency.
"Kama unataka mazungumzo kuhusu siasa za kutafuta urais tafuta kura, uache kutembea peke yako kama miti," (If you want talks about presidential politics, go look for votes and stop walking around alone like trees), Gachagua said.
His remarks drew criticism from Munya, Justin Muturi and Devolution Empowerment Party leader Lenny Kivuti, who accused him of behaving as though he alone represented the opposition in the Mt Kenya region while dismissing the role of other political parties.
Despite growing calls for opposition unity, differences over leadership, political strategy and the future of regional parties continue to expose divisions within the coalition. Munya's declaration that he cannot support Gachagua for the presidency adds another challenge to efforts to build a united opposition ahead of the next General Election.