Opposition leaders Rigathi Gachagua, Kalonzo Musyoka and Eugene Wamalwa have restated their pledge to field a single presidential candidate against President William Ruto in 2027, telling residents of Juja in Kiambu County that efforts to divide them will fail.

The three toured Kiambu this week, with Gachagua's Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) opening a constituency office along Kenyatta Road in Juja Farm as part of his 'Meet the People' tour. The visit came about 283 days before the August 2027 General Election.

'One presidential candidate'

"Nimekaa na Kalonzo, Sifuna na Eugene na tutakuwa na one presidential candidate," Gachagua told the crowd, according to Citizen Digital, saying he had sat down with the Wiper leader, Linda Mwananchi's Edwin Sifuna and the DAP-K leader and agreed on one candidate.

Kalonzo echoed him, saying the leaders had agreed to put forward one of their own "to send Ruto home". Wamalwa urged residents to rally behind the opposition, saying Ruto's time was running out.

Gachagua accused the President of using some Mt Kenya political parties to break up the opposition vote, singling out Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and other leaders from the region. He told residents their support "will not go unrewarded" and promised free and fair DCP nominations.

Ticket to be named late

The tour comes as Gachagua pushes for the opposition to take its time on the flagbearer. In an interview with The Standard, the former Deputy President proposed that the joint candidate be unveiled about five months before the election, saying the leaders were still building consensus on how to choose and should not rush to announce a decision.

At the launch of Sifuna's Linda Mwananchi Party on Friday, Gachagua also said he hoped to carry the ticket but would back Kalonzo or Sifuna if either was picked, even offering to run the campaign himself.

Shifting alliances

  • Kalonzo visited Gachagua at his Wamunyoro home in Nyeri on October 26 to discuss the joint ticket
  • Sifuna led a Linda Mwananchi team to Wamunyoro on October 20
  • DCP won the Ol Kalou by-election in Nyandarua in August, a result Gachagua often cites as proof of his hold on the region

The joint tours are meant to project unity, but the question of who will finally carry the opposition flag remains open. Crowds at Sifuna's launch this week chanted his name over Kalonzo's, a reminder of rival ambitions within the camp. Ruto, meanwhile, has been courting Kalonzo, recalling during a recent Ukambani tour that he once campaigned for the Wiper leader.

Photos: Citizen Digital; The Standard (Kanyiri Wahito). Thumbnail design: HAMASTA MEDIA.