Wamalwa dismisses claims of rift with Gachagua as fake news
By Faith Lagat, August 28, 2025Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa has rubbished reports of a fallout with Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, dismissing the claims as fake news.
In a strongly worded statement posted on X on Thursday, August 28, 2025, Wamalwa said the narrative was a deliberate attempt to sow discord within the opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The claimed rift, circulated online, suggested that Wamalwa and Democratic Party leader Justin Muturi had confronted Gachagua over his decision to field Democratic Change Party (DCP) candidates in areas where they believed their parties were stronger.
Wamalwa denounced the claims as fabricated, overlaying the viral post with a bold “FAKE” stamp to underscore his rejection.
“No amount of fake news will shake the unity, resolve and focus of TEAM #WANTAM to beat TEAM #TUTAM both in the coming by-elections and general elections! The die is cast!” he declared.
Unity
Wamalwa insisted that the opposition remain united under the emerging “TEAM #WANTAM” banner, which is positioning itself as a formidable challenger to the ruling coalition, “TEAM #TUTAM.”
He accused rivals of resorting to propaganda as the opposition gains traction.
“TEAM #WANTAM has gotten TEAM #TUTAM out of their comfort zone, running helter-skelter across the country shouting their slogan even in the State House and dishing out millions in handouts to tame the tide. But the die is cast!” Wamalwa said.
His remarks came a day after a high-level strategy meeting at the SKM command centre, attended by senior opposition figures including Martha Karua, Mukhisa Kituyi, Fred Matiang’i, JB Muturi, Saitoti Torome, Kalonzo Musyoka, and Gachagua himself. The closed-door session focused on consolidating regional support and mapping strategies for 2027, signalling intensified efforts to build a cohesive opposition front.
Corruption and 2027 battle lines
Wamalwa’s rebuttal also aligns with recent statements by Justin Muturi, who on August 25 challenged President William Ruto to lead by example in the fight against corruption. Muturi urged Ruto to subject his office and administration to scrutiny, accusing him of staging political theatrics to divert attention from governance failures. The remarks reinforced the opposition’s message of discipline, accountability, and unity in contrast to what they describe as the ruling camp’s desperate tactics.
The growing “Wantam versus Tutam” rivalry, first spotlighted in a May 2025 Western Insight report, is increasingly shaping Kenya’s political narrative. While “Wantam” advocates for change and fresh leadership, “Tutam” rallies around continuity under Ruto. With both sides escalating their outreach, the opposition is using strong denials of disunity to maintain morale and project confidence.
As the 2027 general election draws closer, analysts say the rhetoric from leaders like Wamalwa and Muturi reflects the sharpening of political battle lines. For the opposition, the message is clear: unity is non-negotiable, and the die, as Wamalwa insists, has already been cast.