Why Gachagua May Prefer to Support Kalonzo to Sifuna for the Presidential Seat (Opinion)

Both Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna have visited former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua at his rural home in Wamunyoro this week as opposition leaders intensify negotiations to agree on a single presidential candidate for the 2027 General Election.

The visits come amid growing efforts by opposition leaders to unite against President William Ruto’s re-election bid. With Gachagua’s eligibility to contest an elective seat remaining uncertain as his case awaits determination at the Court of Appeal, he may have to consider supporting another candidate if he is barred from vying.

Should that happen, Kalonzo could have an advantage over Sifuna for several reasons.

First, Kalonzo has a solid and loyal political backyard that could rally behind him if he enters the presidential race. The Kamba community has largely followed his political direction since the 2007 General Election, giving him an established support base.

On the other hand, Sifuna’s political support in Western Kenya remains uncertain. Several leaders from the region are backing President Ruto’s re-election bid, making it difficult to determine whether the Nairobi senator can command the support of a majority of voters in the region.

For Gachagua, supporting Kalonzo could therefore offer a more predictable political partnership, given the Wiper leader’s established influence in his home region.

Secondly, Kalonzo stood with Gachagua during the former deputy president’s impeachment proceedings in October 2024. The Wiper leader rallied his party’s MPs to vote against the motion, maintaining his opposition to Gachagua’s removal from office.

Although the impeachment eventually succeeded, Kalonzo continued to stand with Gachagua, a move that could strengthen their political relationship as they seek a common strategy against Ruto ahead of the 2027 polls.

Sifuna, on the other hand, was associated with efforts by Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) MPs to impeach Gachagua. Although the two leaders now share an interest in removing Ruto from power, their different positions during the impeachment proceedings could influence Gachagua’s choice of a preferred presidential candidate.

Gachagua may therefore view Kalonzo as a more reliable political partner because the Wiper leader supported him during one of the most difficult moments of his political career.

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