By Hassan Wekesa - Editor
Kenya, 12 September 2026 - Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has praised the character of former Vice President Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka, describing him as a man dedicated to freeing Kenyans from what he termed 'state capture'.
The Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader speaking in the U.S., stated that Kalonzo is not a 'watermelon' he and other Kenyans have been made to believe is for decades in Kenya's political landscape.
In Kenya, the term 'watermelon' is synonymous with a politician who lacks a firm political stance, mimicking the fruit itself, which is green on the outside but red on the inside.
"Dr Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka, I want to honour him because previously, there was a narrative that Kalonzo hana msimamo (is a man lacking formidable stance) and many people believed that, me included. But since I started working with Kalonzo, that narrative is false," Gachagua said.
He said the Wiper Patriotic Front party leader is an 'iron man' with unwavering stance.
To support this 'truth', the self declared 'Truthful Man' Gachagua stated that Kalonzo for 15 years stood with the late Prime Minister and former Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga even under very difficult circmstances.
"For 15 years, he stuck with Raila. Even when Raila took him to an interview which was very embarrassing and denied him Number Two, he still supported him," Gachagua said.
Kalonzo supported Raila when the former prime minister picked Martha Karua as his running mate in the 2022 General Election.
That elecction year, President William Ruto vied with Gachagua as his running mate and they emerged the winners in the presidential election results. The two leaders have since fallen apart and Gachagua was impeached as Deputy President in October 2024. Ruto named Prof Kithure Kindiki as the DP.
Kalonzo, Karua and Gachagua are now in United Opposition, seeking to unseat Ruto and make him a 'One-Term' President.
More from Kenya
"This is a man if he decides I am walking this way, you cannot persuade him differently.
Gachagua claimed that the Kenya Kwanza administration has tried to send people to Kalonzo.
"Ruto ametumana pesa (Ruto has tried to lure him with money) but Kalonzo has refused. He has maintained that he will stand with Kenyans. They have tried to give him all manner of offers. He has said 'No'. And the good thing what we do ourselves so that we don't suspect each other, any time he is approached he tells me," Gachagua revealed.
The Wiper Party has since reshared the video of Gachagua address in which he revealed the 'true' character of Kalonzo.
The former second in command who has been engaging stakeholders and supporters in the U.S., also gets time to unwind, where he together with spouse Dorcas Rigathi, take strolls in the morning, like it happened in Oregon.
Speaking in Portland, Oregon, Gachagua said Kenyans living in the diaspora play a crucial role in the development of Kenya and must be actively involved in shaping the country's future.
"Our new government, coming into office next year, will prioritise attracting the most experienced professionals abroad, especially in the fields of health and economic recovery—to return home and contribute their expertise," he stated.