Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has rubbished the recent overtures from President William Ruto’s aide Farouk Kibet to persuade Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka to join the Kenya Kwanza government.

Speaking at the People’s Opposition rally at Sultan Hamud on Friday, June 6, 2025, Gachagua termed the efforts to extend an olive branch to the Wiper leader as ill-conceived.

“You saw Kasongo send a standard six person to lecture Kalonzo and try to convince him to join the government. Do you want Kalonzo to join a government of killers and thieves?” He asked the locals.

“It is disrespectful to send such people to try to get Kalonzo to join the government,” he added.

The former DP also revealed that the opposition has resolved to close ranks in a bid to oust the incumbent, urging the locals to rally behind their new alliance.

He further challenged the Kamba community to unite behind the new opposition outfit and its bid for a formidable alliance to send President William Ruto home.

“I know the people of Sultan Hamud have decided on Kalonzo as their leader. We have agreed to unite and settle on one person to remove Ruto from office,” he said.

In wooing the masses, Gachagua referred to the Kamba community as their cousins, urging them to engage in a kindred spirit and chart a common political path.

Our cousins

“The Kamba nation has been overlooked for some time now. The time to return the dignity of this community and its leaders is now. Let us register as voters in large numbers. You know the people of Ukambani; you are our cousins. Let us talk of our unity. Let us join hands and hunt for votes and the presidency as cousins,” he implored.

Kindiki’s overtures to Kalonzo

Gachagua’s remarks came after President Ruto’s aide Farouk Kibet and Deputy President Kithure Kindiki made overtures to Kalonzo in what has been construed as a move aimed at getting the former vice president to switch camps.

Kindiki on Thursday, June 5, 2025, lavished praise on Kalonzo, hailing him as a principled politician whose conduct sets him apart from the typical insult-laden rhetoric of other opposition figures.

“When I am here in Makueni, I feel at home; even Kalonzo, when he goes to Tharaka Nithi and Meru, says he feels at home. Why should I be here and not feel at home? Even I feel at home.

“If Kalonzo feels that way, so do I. We are at home. I have seen others there who are not Kalonzo; Kalonzo is a gentleman, but there are others there, friends of Kalonzo,” Kindiki said during his recent tour in Makueni.

On his part, Kalonzo urged for unity, voicing his readiness to work with others in the opposition fold.

Kalonzo further chided Ruto for raiding people’s pockets, promising to redress the financial strain imposed on Kenyans once the new government captures power.