Leaders of the Democratic Party (DP), Party of National Unity (PNU) and Mbus Party have rejected former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s call for their political parties to dissolve and join the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), saying such a move can only be decided through each party’s constitutional structures.
In a joint statement, DP Party Leader Justin Muturi, PNU Party Leader Peter Munya and Mbus Party Leader Lenny Kivuti described Gachagua’s remarks as unconstitutional, divisive and disrespectful to established political parties.
The leaders were responding to remarks attributed to Gachagua during a church service in Meru on July 26, where he reportedly urged DP, PNU, Umoja na Maendeleo Party and BUS Party to dissolve and join DCP.
“We wish to state, unequivocally, that every political party is an independent institution established under the Constitution and the laws of Kenya, with its own members, delegates, elected officials and governance structures,” the leaders said.
They maintained that no individual has the authority to determine the future of another political party, arguing that decisions on mergers, dissolution or political direction must be made through each party’s lawful organs.
“Unilateral pronouncements by one political leader purporting to direct, dissolve, merge or determine the future of another political party are not only legally untenable but are also deeply offensive” to members and officials who have invested in building those parties, the statement said.
Citing Article 38 of the Constitution, the three leaders said every Kenyan has the right to form, join and participate in a political party of their choice, adding that those freedoms cannot be overridden by the ambitions of any individual.
“Hon. Gachagua therefore has neither the legal nor the moral authority to prescribe the existence or future of other political parties,” they said.
Despite the criticism, the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to working with other like-minded political parties to offer Kenyans an alternative to President William Ruto’s administration. However, they insisted that any opposition alliance must be founded on consultation, mutual respect and voluntary cooperation rather than political pressure.
“While we remain firmly committed to the broader objective of providing Kenya with alternative leadership and ending the failures of the Ruto administration, such unity must be anchored on mutual respect, consultation and voluntary cooperation — not coercion, political ultimatums or demands for surrender,” they said.
The leaders also challenged what they described as inconsistencies in Gachagua’s political approach, noting that while he was urging other parties to dissolve, he continued engaging leaders elected on United Democratic Alliance (UDA) tickets.
“If he genuinely believes in political realignment based on principle and the sovereign will of the people, then he should encourage those elected on UDA tickets to resign and seek fresh mandates through by-elections. Democracy is strengthened by the ballot, not by negotiated defections, photo ops, or selective political convenience,” the statement said.
They further dismissed any suggestion that Gachagua had been mandated to speak on behalf of the Mt. Kenya region, saying no meeting or consensus had granted him such authority, and urged him to embrace dialogue and respect the independence of political parties.