GACHAGUA PROPOSES 'THE HYENA COALITION '

Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has proposed the formation of a new political alliance bringing together parties backing the campaign to deny President William Ruto a second term in the 2027 General Election.

Addressing a delegation from Nakuru County on Wednesday at his Wamunyoro home in Nyeri County, the former Deputy President suggested the alliance be named the "Hyena Coalition," borrowing the name from remarks made by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale that have since sparked nationwide political debate.

Gachagua urged supporters of the one-term movement, particularly those from the Mt. Kenya region, to embrace the label and turn what he described as an insult into a symbol of unity.
"I would urge all of those one-term supporters from Mt. Kenya to form a coalition for one-term parties. Na kwa sababu tumetukanwa na Duale, nataka tukubali hio jina. Tunataka tuiite the Hyena coalition," he said.

He also appealed to former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi to spearhead efforts to unite opposition-leaning leaders from the region under the proposed alliance.
"My brother JB (Justin Muturi), convene all of us in Mt. Kenya, we create the hyena coalition ya mafisi wote, ya kukula kasongo, na kumtafuna, na kummeza," Gachagua said.

The DCP leader cautioned members of the one-term movement against internal wrangles, arguing that infighting would only strengthen President Ruto's political camp ahead of the next election.

"Fighting people within the one-term movement is not good energy. It is not going to help us. Focus on William Ruto and the people around him. Ignore other noises, do not get distracted," he said.

He further urged opposition supporters to avoid attacking one another despite political provocations, insisting they must remain "very intelligent and strategic" to prevent divisions that could derail their mission.

Gachagua has maintained an aggressive campaign against President Ruto since the fallout that led to his exit from government, repeatedly vowing to continue mobilising support to unseat the Kenya Kwanza administration in the 2027 General Election.

The proposed coalition's name stems from remarks made by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale during a public event in Lafey Constituency, Mandera County, on July 20. The comments sparked widespread criticism after they were interpreted by some leaders as targeting the Kikuyu community.

However, Duale dismissed those claims, insisting his remarks were taken out of context and deliberately misrepresented.

In a statement posted on his X account, the Cabinet Secretary said the phrase, "Waraabe la-tagis bartay, ka-ridis waa ku dhib," is a common Somali proverb referring to the difficulty of changing entrenched habits or long-enjoyed privileges and was never intended to insult any ethnic community.
"I have been widely misquoted and my remarks delivered in Lafey Constituency have been taken out of context to advance false and misleading narratives," Duale said.

He maintained that the statement was a figurative expression and not an attack on the Kikuyu community or any other group.

Despite his clarification, the remarks triggered sharp political reactions across the country, with leaders from different political formations demanding an apology.

The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) subsequently launched investigations to determine whether the comments breached laws relating to hate speech and ethnic incitement.

With about a year to the General Election, political activity across the country has intensified, with leaders forming new alliances, consolidating support bases and positioning themselves for the 2027 contest. The period has also been marked by growing concerns over political intolerance, including reports of violence, disruption of political events and inflammatory rhetoric.

Gachagua's latest proposal comes as he continues to consolidate his influence in the vote-rich Mt. Kenya region, following recent political gains by his allies, including the DCP's victory in the Ol Kalou by-election. Political observers say the proposed "Hyena Coalition" signals his intention to unify opposition forces in the region and strengthen his bargaining power ahead of the 2027 elections.

Whether the proposed alliance materialises into a formal coalition remains to be seen, but the announcement has already added a new dimension to the evolving political realignments as the race to succeed or unseat President Ruto gathers momentum.