United Opposition leaders to accompany Gachagua to Othaya after Sunday’s attack
By Mabonga Makhanu, January 31, 2026The United Opposition leaders are set to accompany former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to Othaya after the Sunday, January 25, 2026, attack during a church service.
The opposition plans several stopovers on Sunday, February 1, 2025, in Nyeri and Murang’a counties.
They will first attend a church service at Gitugi ACK Church at 9:00 a.m., followed by a “meet the people” rally at Gitugi Centre in Mathioya Constituency, Murang’a County. They will then proceed to Nyeri County to hold a rally in Othaya town, compensating for last Sunday’s rally that was postponed after his church service was interrupted.
United opposition principals
The meetings will be spearheaded by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Democratic Action Party–Kenya (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa, People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua, Democratic Party leader JB Muturi, Jubilee presidential flagbearer Fred Matiang’i, DCP Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala, DCP National Organising Secretary Mithika Linturi, and other politicians aligned with these leaders.
This follows the attack on Gachagua on Sunday, January 25, 2026, while he was attending church in Othaya. He was forced to flee through a bush, with his bodyguards masquerading as clergy to cover his escape.
The United Opposition also held a meeting with the Inspector General of Police, presenting their concerns about the incident and demanding that those involved be brought to justice before February 16, 2026. They warned that failure to act would lead them to organise countrywide demonstrations to demand their rights.
Opposition preparedness for 2027
The developments come as the United Opposition prepares to face their main opponent, President William Ruto, in the 2027 General Elections. They have organised a two-day retreat on February 12 and 13 to discuss coalition structures, decide on a name for their formation, and develop a framework for selecting the coalition’s presidential flagbearer.
The opposition leaders have also planned a countrywide tour to sensitise Kenyans on voter registration as part of their preparations for next year’s general elections. Eugene Wamalwa, a key member of the coalition, stated that the presidential flagbearer will only be chosen six months before the general election.