Gachagua pauses Wamunyoro talks to attend to urgent meeting in the Coast
By Faith Lagat, June 29, 2026Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has temporarily paused his Wamunyoro consultations to attend what he described as urgent “family matters” in the Coast region following a meeting with leaders of the Mijikenda community.
In a statement posted on his X account on Monday, June 29, 2026, Gachagua said he suspended the ongoing consultations at his Wamunyoro residence to attend a meeting of Mijikenda leaders led by their spokesman, Chirau Ali Makwere.
According to Gachagua, the meeting was attended by leaders from the Digo, Giriama, Duruma, Rabai, Chonyi, Kauma, Kambe, Jibana and Ribe communities.
He said the leaders had sought solidarity from what he described as their “cousins from the Mountain” over challenges facing the Coast region.
Coast grievances
In his statement, Gachagua claimed the Coast region was facing economic and social marginalisation under President William Ruto’s administration.
He alleged that the Port of Mombasa, which he described as the region’s economic lifeline, was being sold to foreigners, senior political leaders, political brokers and the oligarchy.
Gachagua further claimed that mineral deposits at Mrima Hills had been sold to foreigners without benefiting local communities.
He also claimed that ranches were being grabbed while non-locals grazed livestock on community land under police protection.
The former deputy president claimed businesses linked to the Port of Mombasa and state corporations had been concentrated within one family.
He also claimed that a Cabinet member was involved in the sale of hard drugs under state protection and claimed that young people who rejected drugs were either branded criminals, abducted or forcibly disappeared.
“My cousins have been sat on and suppressed by one brutal family,” he said.
“They cannot breathe.”
“They live like refugees in their own land.”
Calls for unity
Gachagua said the Mijikenda leaders had resolved to unite with other regions in what he termed the liberation of the country. He said he had assured them of support from communities in Mt Kenya, Western Kenya, Lower Eastern, Kisii and Nyanza.
“Together, we shall prevail. As a family, we have a shared responsibility of unity,” he said.
He added that Coast residents were determined to reclaim their dignity and take part in national political discussions without intermediaries. Gachagua also congratulated former Cabinet Secretary Kazungu Kambi and Moses Nzoro for supporting the community.
“Pongezi, Waziri Kazungu Kambi and Hon. Moses Nzoro, for walking with your people. I am very encouraged by the successful family consultations,” he said.
He concluded his statement by saying, “Consultations continue.”
Wamunyoro consultations
The Coast meeting comes days after Gachagua announced that he would hold consultations at his Wamunyoro home after completing a political tour of Western Kenya.
The consultations are expected to bring together opposition leaders as they continue discussions on a common political strategy ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Gachagua had previously said the meetings would focus on consultations with leaders from different parts of the country as efforts continue to build a united opposition ahead of the next polls.