Cracks in the opposition's search for a single 2027 presidential candidate came into the open on Friday when sections of the crowd at the launch of the Linda Mwananchi Movement headquarters in Lavington, Nairobi, drowned out Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka with chants of "President Sifuna".

The same event saw DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua claim that President William Ruto paid Sh20 million for Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi's Amani National Congress (ANC), a deal he said he personally brokered.

"Eugene has jumped the gun"

Trouble started after DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa appeared to back Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna as the opposition's flagbearer. Kalonzo, who spoke next, said Wamalwa had moved too fast.

"Because this is your day, my brother Eugene has jumped the gun. He has declared you the presidential candidate," Kalonzo said, according to The Star. "Let me tell you legally, because you are a lawyer, you have to wait for the 13th of November."

Sections of the crowd responded with chants of Sifuna's name, forcing Kalonzo to pause. Sifuna walked to the podium and appealed for calm. "This is not a way to treat our guests. Just let us listen to them. We have been honoured by their presence," he said.

When he resumed, Kalonzo reminded the gathering that Wiper delegates had handed him a mandate to run for president on October 10, 2025, and asked for patience. He however conceded that Sifuna "could very well end up being the sixth president" if the proper process is followed, People Daily reported.

George Natembeya, who has been proposed to lead the movement's presidential campaign, later urged supporters to be more accommodating and asked journalists not to exaggerate the incident, saying it had not been planned.

Gachagua's ANC claim

Gachagua used his address to hit back at Mudavadi, who has recently criticised Sifuna over his party plans. He questioned what moral authority Mudavadi had to lecture others on party building after giving up his own party.

"Mimi mwenyewe ndio nili-negotiate na Musalia," Gachagua said, according to Citizen Digital, claiming that Ruto paid Sh20 million for ANC. ANC was folded into UDA in a merger announced at State House in January 2025.

The former Deputy President further claimed that before the 2022 election, Mudavadi and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula struck a deal with Ruto under which Wetang'ula would become Speaker, Mudavadi Prime CS, and Western Kenya would receive 1,000 kilometres of new tarmac roads. He urged Western residents to demand to know where the roads are.

Mudavadi, ANC and UDA had not responded to the claims by the time of publication, and the Sh20 million figure has not been independently verified.

A date to watch

Kalonzo's remarks have put the spotlight on November 13, when Linda Mwananchi holds its National Delegates Convention. Opposition principals have said they will agree on a joint candidate through consultations, but Friday's scenes showed how sensitive the question has become.

Photos: Citizen Digital/OPCS; The Star (screengrab). Thumbnail design: HAMASTA MEDIA.