Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) party leader Eugene Wamalwa has hailed Narc Kenya party leader Martha Karua over her decision to bury the hatchet with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

Wamalwa in a statement shared via his official X account on Sunday, January 26, 2025, congratulated Karua for what he termed as having taken a step in the right direction.

The former Defense Cabinet Secretary argued that the country needs to be set on the path of unity, healing and reconciliation.

He further noted that leaders should say no to politics of hate and division, isolation and demonization of others.

“A step in the right direction as we set the feet of this Great Nation on the path of unity, healing and reconciliation and say no to politics of hate and division, isolation and demonization of others, being propagated by our opponents who preach water and drink wine,” Wamalwa stated.

Wamalwa on Ruto’s Western tour

He went ahead to criticize President William Ruto’s just-concluded development tour of the Western region, arguing that it was a tour that was short on development and long on divisive rhetoric.

“The whole of this week in their Western Kenya tour, a tour that was short on development and long on divisive rhetoric, they were preaching the water of unity and drinking the wine of division as they incited the West against the Mountain and the East,” Wamalwa wrote on X.

“May The Good Lord renew our strength we pray today in the words of Isaiah 40:31, that we may soar on wings like eagles above this retrogressive politics and liberate our Nation from the shackles of corruption, tribalism and Zakayo’s punitive taxes and failed policies. Hongera @MarthaKarua @rigathi ,Ngai Wa Kirinyaga amurathime!”

Wamalwa was responding to Karua’s statement in which she had hailed Gachagua for his resilience and courage.

Karua on Gachagua’s resilience

In a statement on Sunday, January 26, 2025, Karua who was Raila Odinga’s running mate in the 2022 polls, explained that Gachagua had demonstrated great resilience despite facing various hostilities including his impeachment from the second-highest office in the land.

Karua argued that Gachagua’s qualities were crucial for pushing for nationwide unity aimed at tackling issues bedevilling the country.

“I salute your courage and resilience in the face of adversity, qualities that we need as we fulfil our joint commitment to rally together leaders from across the nation, to address the many challenges facing the people of Kenya,” Karua wrote in a statement.

The senior counsel while appreciating Gachagua and his wife Pastor Dorcas Rigathi for their visit, added that leadership was about service to the people and prioritising them in all decisions and policy directives.

Further, Karua who is known to hold a very firm stance, expressed her commitment to working with the former Deputy President.

“I look forward to working with you and wish you well in all your endeavours,” Karua wrote.

Gachagua’s commitment

Gachagua on the other hand confirmed that he will be working with Karua going forward.

Speaking when he visited Karua at her rural home in Kirinyaga county, Gachagua stated that they had held a meeting in which they agreed on how they would be working ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He said that his political camp will be regularly consulting Karua based on her extensive experience in politics, public service, and legal matters.

Gachagua further stated that his camp will also work with other like-minded Kenyans.

He expressed confidence that the country would be liberated if Kenyans decided to join hands and work together.

“We have had a good conversation, and we have agreed that going forward we are going to work together with other Kenyans. I want to assure you that many Kenyans are looking for leadership. We will work together with like-minded Kenyans, patriots, and people who care for this country. We shall benefit a lot from her counsel; we will consult her regularly alongside other Kenyans of goodwill so that we liberate this country,” Gachagua stated.