The political drums are beating louder in Ukambani after former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua held a high-profile meeting with Dr. Victor Munyaka, the former Machakos Town MP, at his Karen residence. The meeting, shrouded in mystery, has sparked a frenzy of speculation as Dr. Munyaka’s political loyalty appears to hang in the balance.
In a carefully worded statement following the meeting, Gachagua hailed Munyaka’s political journey while subtly throwing shade at the shifting tides of leadership in today’s political arena.
“This afternoon, I met with Hon. Dr. Victor Munyaka. Hon. Munyaka served with me in the 12th Parliament, where he was serving his 3rd term as Member of Parliament for Machakos Town Constituency, having first been elected in 2007.
It was a pleasure to revisit our common experiences in the last Parliament and contrast what we see in the calibre of that particular Parliament, as well as the general political leadership then, as compared to the current one.
Dr. Munyaka also shared his views of current national politics and the various interventions he proposes we should consider as we plan for the year ahead, as drawn from his many years of elective experience.
The consultations continue.”
Gachagua’s meeting with Munyaka comes against the backdrop of swirling rumors that the former MP is gravitating back towards the Wiper Party, led by Kalonzo Musyoka. Once a staunch ally of President William Ruto and a key player in UDA’s Ukambani battalion during the 2022 elections, Munyaka shocked many by declining a presidential appointment late last year, citing “private reasons” and concerns about the state of the nation.
Adding fuel to the fire, Munyaka has recently been spotted in the company of Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Machakos Governor Hon. Wavinya Ndeti, a move that has sent ripples across the UDA camp. Political observers see this as a clear indication that Munyaka could be planning a sensational defection, a move that would significantly boost Wiper’s influence in the region while dealing a heavy blow to UDA’s Ukambani ambitions.
Gachagua, known for his fiery rhetoric, appeared to issue a veiled warning to leaders contemplating such moves. “Leadership is about consistency and commitment to the people. Those who waver and trade their political integrity for fleeting alliances will be judged harshly by history. The people of Machakos, Kitui, and Makueni deserve leaders who are steadfast in their vision, not fair-weather politicians,” he declared.
Sources close to Munyaka have remained tight-lipped about the meeting, but whispers within Wiper’s inner circle suggest that Kalonzo Musyoka is leaving no stone unturned in his quest to consolidate Ukambani’s political base ahead of his anticipated 2027 presidential bid.
For UDA, losing Munyaka to Wiper would be a devastating blow. The former MP was instrumental in Ruto’s surprising inroads into the traditionally Wiper-dominated region. His defection could signal a broader realignment in Ukambani politics, with Wiper reclaiming its dominance.
Gachagua’s statement, though diplomatic on the surface, is seen by many as a strategic attempt to keep Munyaka firmly in the UDA fold. However, critics argue it may be too little, too late. Munyaka’s growing rapport with Wiper leaders has already raised the stakes in the battle for Ukambani, a region poised to play a crucial role in the 2027 general elections.
As the dust settles on this high-stakes political drama, the question remains: will Munyaka remain loyal to UDA, or is he ready to stage a dramatic return to Wiper? For now, the consultations continue, but the political chessboard in Ukambani has never been more volatile.
