Speaking on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, during a requiem mass for the late Teresiah Nyaboke at All Saints Cathedral, Gachagua recounted an incident from a previous public event where he and Onyonka attended the same funeral in Trans Nzoia County.
According to him, Senator Onyonka used his speaking time to criticise President Ruto’s administration over several issues, including the controversial Adani deal, while Gachagua remained silent in the audience.
When Gachagua later took the podium, he said he made a deliberate decision not to confront or attack the senator over his remarks.
However, he revealed that his silence did not go down well with individuals close to State House, who allegedly contacted him later that evening to question his decision.
“Later that evening, allies of my boss called me and gave me a one-hour lecture,” Gachagua told mourners, suggesting that the call was an attempt to pressure him into publicly defending the government.
He added that the experience left him frustrated, and he questioned why he should have attacked Onyonka when, in his view, the senator’s statements reflected genuine concerns.
The comments add another layer to the increasingly public political tensions between Gachagua and factions aligned with the Kenya Kwanza administration led by President Ruto.
During the same memorial service, Senator Onyonka reportedly offered a public apology to Gachagua over his role in supporting the impeachment motion that led to his removal from office, saying he was influenced at the time but had since reconsidered his stance.
The exchange highlights shifting political dynamics within opposition and ruling circles, where past rivals are increasingly engaging in reconciliatory remarks amid ongoing national debates.
Political observers say the remarks underscore deepening divisions within the ruling alliance, even as leaders publicly maintain unity ahead of future political contests.
