NAIROBI, Kenya — Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has proposed that political parties backing efforts to unseat President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election adopt the name “Hyena Coalition,” saying the opposition should embrace a label he said had been used to ridicule the Mt Kenya region.
Speaking to a delegation from Nakuru County at his Wamunyoro residence on Thursday, August 6, Gachagua said parties aligned to the so-called “one-term” movement should unite under a common coalition while remaining separate political entities.
His remarks referenced recent comments by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, which some political leaders interpreted as offensive towards the Kikuyu community.
“I would urge all of those one-term supporters from Mt Kenya to form a coalition for one-term parties. Because we were insulted by Duale, I want us to accept that name. We should call it the Hyena Coalition,” Gachagua said.
He called on former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi to help convene leaders from the Mt Kenya region to formalise the proposed alliance.
Calls for unity within opposition
Gachagua urged supporters of the opposition movement to avoid internal rivalries, arguing that divisions would only benefit President Ruto and his allies.
He appealed to political leaders within the movement to remain focused on their shared objective of challenging the Kenya Kwanza administration in the next general election.
“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 said.
The former deputy president also cautioned supporters against provoking political infighting, claiming the government could exploit divisions within the opposition to weaken its campaign.
His latest remarks come as opposition leaders continue discussions aimed at building a broad coalition ahead of the 2027 elections.
Duale rejects interpretation of remarks
The proposed coalition name stems from comments made by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale during a public event in Mandera County on July 20.
The remarks sparked criticism from sections of political leaders, who accused the Cabinet Secretary of making ethnically insensitive comments directed at the Kikuyu community.
However, Duale has consistently denied the allegations, saying his remarks were taken out of context.
In a statement posted on his official X account, the Cabinet Secretary said the Somali phrase he used had been mistranslated and was never intended to target any community.
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“I have been widely misquoted and my remarks delivered in Lafey Constituency have been taken out of context to advance false and misleading narratives,” Duale said.
He explained that the phrase was a traditional Somali proverb referring to the difficulty of changing entrenched habits or long-standing advantages, rather than an insult directed at any ethnic group.
“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,” he said.
NCIC investigating remarks
Despite Duale’s clarification, the comments triggered a political backlash, with leaders from across the political divide calling for an apology and urging restraint in public discourse.
The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) subsequently opened investigations to determine whether the remarks breached laws governing hate speech and ethnic incitement.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Gachagua has in recent months intensified his criticism of President Ruto while seeking to rally opposition parties behind a united challenge to the Kenya Kwanza administration ahead of the 2027 General Election.
