Kalonzo meets Gachagua at Wamunyoro amid opposition unity push

Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka meets Rigathi Gachagua at his Wamunyoro residence in Nyeri /HANDOUTWiper Patriotic Front (WPF) leader Kalonzo Musyoka on Monday met former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua at his Wamunyoro rural home in Nyeri County as opposition leaders intensified consultations on a possible joint presidential candidate to challenge President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election.

The meeting came a day after Kalonzo announced plans to visit Gachagua, who leads the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), and amid emerging differences over Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s presidential ambitions.

The talks also followed a meeting between Gachagua and leaders of the Linda Mwananchi Movement associated with Sifuna on October 20, raising expectations of possible cooperation between the two political camps.

Although details of Monday’s meeting were not immediately available, the discussions come as opposition leaders face growing pressure to agree on a common candidate to challenge Ruto in the next General Election.

On Sunday, DCP Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala said the party would meet Kalonzo on Monday to persuade him to support Sifuna’s presidential bid.

Malala said DCP had settled on the Nairobi senator as its preferred candidate and was reaching out to other opposition leaders to build consensus around his candidature.

“You have seen DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua meet Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna the other day. They are united,” Malala said.

“We have said we also want to talk to Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka. We want him to support Sifuna.”

He added: “On Monday, we are going to meet Kalonzo. In DCP, we have agreed Sifuna is up to the task.”

The October 20 meeting at Gachagua’s Wamunyoro residence brought together leaders from DCP and the Linda Mwananchi camp, including former Law Society of Kenya president Faith Odhiambo, Linda Mwananchi head of communication Pauline Njoroge, DCP Secretary General John Methu and Malala.

The meeting followed Gachagua’s return to Kenya from the United States and fuelled speculation about possible political cooperation between his party and leaders associated with Sifuna.

However, Wiper dismissed Malala’s assertion that the planned meeting with Kalonzo was intended to persuade the Wiper leader to back Sifuna.

Through party spokesperson and lawyer Ndegwa Njiru, Wiper rejected the claim, accusing Malala of advancing a divisive narrative that could undermine Opposition unity.

“I urge the media to treat this statement with the contempt it deserves. The remarks attributed to Senator Malala can only be characterised as the work of a playwright rather than a serious political actor. Malala appears intent on driving a divisive knife through the heart of the opposition,” Njiru said.

The exchange highlights differences among opposition leaders as they explore possible alliances ahead of the 2027 elections.

While DCP has publicly endorsed Sifuna as its preferred candidate, Wiper’s response underscores the contested nature of the ongoing consultations.

The outcome of discussions involving Kalonzo, Gachagua and other opposition leaders could shape efforts to establish a common political platform before the next General Election.