DAP-K second deputy party leader Ayub Savula has accused his party of losing legitimacy, claiming it now operates as an appendage of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s DCP.
He claimed his party leader, Eugene Wamalwa, confirmed his worst fears by indicating he no longer controls the party.
“By saying that whoever wants him and his Wiper counterpart Kalonzo Musyoka must go through Gachagua, Eugene confirmed that we have lost legitimacy as a party,” Savula said on Thursday.
On Tuesday during the burial of Terry Kariuki, the widow of JM Kariuki (deceased), in Nakuru, Eugene dismissed media reports suggesting he and Kalonzo are the primary targets of President William Ruto’s attempts to split the united opposition. He reaffirmed their commitment to making Ruto a one-term president.
“We have agreed to walk this journey and we want to assure you that we shall not separate. Whoever is looking for us must do so through Rigathi Gachagua,” Eugene said.
Savula argued that Eugene’s remarks vindicated his view that the former Defence Minister is unfit to lead DAP-K.
“This is why I feel that DAP-K is not going anywhere. We hoped to expand the party across the country and be a key player at the national level, but it has become an appendage of an ethnic enclave known as DCP,” he said.
Savula said despite DAP-K holding six parliamentary seats, a governor, two deputy governors and several MCAs, the party has become subservient to DCP, which lacks a formal leader or organisational structure on the ground.
“I cannot work with Gachagua because he is an ethnic chauvinist. I would rather work with the government,” he said.
As a result, he has withdrawn support for DAP-K candidate Seth Panyako in the Malava by-election to back UDA’s David Ndakwa.
Savula justified the move, citing a failure by Eugene and first deputy leader, Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, to demonstrate unity during the Malava campaign.
The Malava by-election has seen party loyalty tested, with prominent figures campaigning against their own party candidates.
Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, elected on a UDA ticket and National Assembly Majority Whip, is supporting Panyako, while Savula campaigns for UDA’s Ndakwa.
by HILTON OTENYO
