Rigathi Gachagua has alleged that President William Ruto is orchestrating a strategy aimed at weakening the Orange Democratic Movement ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking in Murang’a on Monday, Gachagua claimed the plan is intended to fragment ODM and confine it to a largely Luo-based party with reduced national influence.
He specifically alleged that former Kakamega governor Wycliffe Oparanya is expected to leave ODM, saying he has already been positioned to lead a new political arrangement in Western Kenya. According to Gachagua, this would be aimed at drawing Luhya support away from ODM.
He further claimed that similar political realignments are being considered in the Coast region, where former Mombasa governor Hassan Joho would allegedly be tasked with building a separate political base to weaken ODM’s influence in the region.
Gachagua argued that these moves are part of a broader plan to diminish ODM’s national reach and concentrate its support base in Nyanza. He also alleged that in Luo Nyanza, the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) is planning to field candidates in key areas, with support from government-linked networks, including Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo.
He claimed the strategy is aimed at displacing leaders aligned with ODM and replacing them with those sympathetic to the ruling party ahead of the 2027 polls.
Gachagua urged ODM leaders to be cautious in any engagement with UDA, warning that without clear political safeguards, the party risks losing influence in Western, Coast, and parts of Nyanza.
His remarks come amid growing political debate over possible alliances between ODM and UDA as leaders begin positioning themselves ahead of the next general election. Since his fallout with President Ruto following his removal as Deputy President, Gachagua has frequently accused the government of pursuing divide-and-rule politics.
The comments sparked widespread discussion online, with political observers closely watching how the alleged realignments will unfold in the run-up to 2027.