Gachagua Proposes 'Hyena Coalition' to Unite One-Term Movement Against Ruto

Nyeri, Kenya – Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has proposed the formation of a political alliance dubbed the "Hyena Coalition", bringing together parties backing the one-term movement aimed at unseating President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election.

Speaking while hosting a delegation from Nakuru County at his Mathira home in Nyeri, Gachagua said the coalition would unite political actors supporting President Ruto's defeat, drawing inspiration from recent remarks by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale that sparked widespread public debate.

"I would urge all of those one-term supporters from Mt. Kenya to form a coalition for one-term parties. And because we were insulted by Duale, I want us to accept that name. We want to call it the Hyena Coalition," Gachagua said.

He further called on Public Service Cabinet Secretary-turned-political ally Justin Muturi to mobilize like-minded leaders from the Mt. Kenya region to strengthen the proposed alliance ahead of the 2027 elections.

Gachagua also urged supporters of the one-term movement to avoid internal conflicts, arguing that divisions within the opposition would only weaken efforts to challenge President Ruto's administration.

"Fighting people within the one-term movement is not good energy. It is not going to help us. Focus on William Ruto and the people around him. Ignore other noises and do not get distracted," he told supporters.

He cautioned that political rivals could exploit disagreements among opposition figures to derail their campaign, emphasizing the need for unity and strategic coordination.

"We will not fight our brothers and sisters even if we are provoked. That is what President Ruto would want. He can use some of us to start internal wars so that we lose focus on him. We must be very intelligent and strategic," Gachagua added.

The former Deputy President has maintained an aggressive campaign against President Ruto in recent months, repeatedly declaring his intention to rally opposition forces behind a one-term agenda in the run-up to the 2027 General Election.

Duale Says Remarks Were Misinterpreted

The proposed coalition name comes in the wake of controversy surrounding comments made by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale during a public event in Mandera County on July 20.

The remarks, which circulated widely on social media, were interpreted by some leaders as referring to the Kikuyu community, prompting criticism from politicians across the political divide.

However, Duale has denied the allegations, maintaining that his comments were taken out of context.

In a statement posted on his X account, the Cabinet Secretary said he had been widely misquoted and that his remarks had been deliberately misrepresented.

According to Duale, the Somali phrase "Waraabe la-tagis bartay, ka-ridis waa ku dhib" is a traditional proverb that conveys the difficulty of abandoning long-established habits or privileges and was not intended as a reference to any ethnic community.

"It is a figurative expression about the difficulty of ending entrenched habits or long-enjoyed advantages. It was never directed at any community or intended to demean anyone," Duale said.

NCIC Investigating Remarks

Despite the clarification, the remarks have continued to generate political debate, with several leaders demanding an apology from the Cabinet Secretary.

The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has since opened investigations into the matter to determine whether the comments violated Kenya's laws on hate speech and ethnic incitement.

The latest developments add to the growing political tensions ahead of the 2027 General Election, as both the government and opposition intensify their campaigns and public messaging.