In a Radio Maisha interview, Karua dismissed the notion that Gachagua, who has emerged as the face of the opposition and Mt Kenya rebellion, now commands the loyalty of the politically influential central Kenya region.
Karua stated that prominence and extensive political campaigning do not equate to leadership or electoral authority.
“Where was he elected?” Karua questioned. “It’s not about who makes the most noise. In a matatu, the conductor may be more popular than the driver. No election has ever appointed anyone as kingpin. Being heard does not make you the kingpin.”
The PLP leader also emphasized that former President Uhuru Kenyatta, despite being considered a regional leader, cannot claim the status of kingpin.
When pressed about whether any leader currently holds the top political position in Mt Kenya, Karua maintained that no single individual can claim authority over the entire voting bloc.
In positioning herself, Karua described herself as an independent political force and among the region’s leaders.
She noted that when Gachagua initially approached cooperation, he had limited influence in Mt Kenya and capitalized on a region already in rebellion against the government.
The former Justice minister added that Gachagua’s current prominence resulted more from timing and political realignment than from any genuine grassroots support.
“Recall that before our political understanding, Gachagua lacked influence,” she said. “He gained prominence later because he joined UDA after people had already departed. Frequent movement doesn’t make someone the kingpin.”
This marks the second occasion Karua has publicly rejected Gachagua’s claim to kingpin status, indicating increasing tension within opposition circles.
During a previous interview in May, Karua dismissed Gachagua’s claims to regional dominance in Mt Kenya, stating he is “not the Mt Kenya kingpin”. Instead, she characterized the former deputy president as “simply a party leader like myself or Uhuru Kenyatta”.
“The Mt Kenya electorate had already distanced themselves from the government while he was still deputy president. He found us already in opposition,” she said.
Despite past political cooperation, Karua was careful to clarify that she answers to neither Gachagua nor Uhuru, both members of the United Opposition.
“Gachagua is not my leader,” she stated. “Nor am I subordinate to Uhuru. I deeply respect him, but I am not under his authority. He is a party leader, and I am a party leader. This must be clear to everyone. I respect all leaders, but no one should claim I answer to them.”
Karua’s comments emerge at a critical juncture for the opposition, which is grappling with internal difficulties while attempting to present a unified front against Ruto in 2027.
In a recent interview, Jubilee party deputy Jeremiah Kioni suggested that Karua was preparing to leave the United Opposition due to unclear direction within the coalition.
Karua’s statements indicate that not all opposition figures are prepared to relinquish regional authority, potentially paving the way for a contest over who genuinely represents central Kenya in the lead-up to 2027.