Wiper Party leader Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka has warmly embraced former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua as his “cousin,” highlighting their shared Meru heritage during his speech at the burial of Gachagua’s maternal aunt, Gladys Gathoni Kahua, in Nyeri on July 5, 2025.
In a heartfelt message, Kalonzo reflected on their growing political and personal connection.
“Mnikubali niseme, mimi sikumjua sana ndugu Riggy G. Niliona mtu akitetea Ruto kila mahali, kila mahali, na lugha kali kali ingine, na haogopi. Na sikumjua huyo Mama Gladys, na nimeona kumbe amezaliwa kule Kibirichia, Imenti, upande wa Meru. Mimi na Riggy G kweli ni Macuzo because mimi na Meru hapo karibu. My father has a family in Meru, upande wa Maua kule, na wewe umetoka Meru. Sasa naona tu it was not a big problem tulipokuja Wamunyoro, alafu akatukaribisha sana Mama Gladys, na tukasema tukitoka Wamunyoro tutaenda Tseikuru. Nikaanza kumjua ndugu Riggy G,” he stated.
Translation: “Allow me to say, I didn’t know Brother Riggy G very well. I just saw a man defending Ruto everywhere, using strong language and showing no fear. I didn’t know Mama Gladys either, but I’ve now seen that she was born in Kibirichia, Imenti, in Meru. Riggy G and I are truly ‘Macuzo’ (cousins), because I’m close to Meru, my father has family in Maua, Meru, and you are from Meru. I now see that it wasn’t a big issue when we came to Wamunyoro, and Mama Gladys welcomed us warmly. We said once we left Wamunyoro, we would go to Tseikuru. That’s when I started to really know Brother Riggy G.”
Macuzo alliance
The ‘Macuzo’ connection was first mentioned publicly in Machakos in June 2025, when Gachagua referred to the Kamba and Mt Kenya communities as “cousins.” Though the remark sparked debate, it also marked the beginning of a growing alliance among opposition leaders.
Since then, Kalonzo and Gachagua have travelled together across several regions: from Mazeras at the Coast, where they supported a 2027 Mombasa gubernatorial hopeful, to Meru between 20 and 22 June. Despite facing protests, Gachagua pulled large crowds in Ruiri and Maua.
The tour continued into Western Kenya, culminating in Bungoma and Busia on 4 July. There, Kalonzo and Gachagua, joined by former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, issued sharp criticism of President Ruto’s leadership and committed to a united challenge in the 2027 elections.
Kenneth Mwenda
Kenneth Mwenda is a digital writer with over five years of experience. He graduated in February 2022 with a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance from The Co-operative University of Kenya. He has written news and feature stories for platforms such as Construction Review Online, Sports Brief, Briefly News, and Criptonizando. In 2023, he completed a course in Digital Investigation Techniques with AFP. He joined K24 Digital in May 2025. For inquiries, he can be reached at [email protected].
