In a sign of growing tensions within Kenya's opposition coalition forming after Raila Odinga's death, Rigathi Gachagua (DCP) and Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper) have publicly disagreed on when to announce their 2027 presidential candidate. Gachagua warns against early revelation to avoid government attacks, while Kalonzo sticks to a March 2026 timeline.
The rift surfaced amid efforts by opposition leaders—including Gachagua, Kalonzo, Fred Matiang’i, Martha Karua, and others—to build unity against President William Ruto's Kenya Kwanza ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking at his mother Alice Wangari's funeral in Kigumo, Murang’a County, on Saturday, Gachagua urged patience: “I beg us to be patient about our presidential candidate. We cannot name him early before 2027 because we would give President Ruto a chance to attack him.” He suggested revealing the name just days before the vote, allowing time to rally forces like Raila Odinga's ODM.
Kalonzo, in his end-of-year message last week, reaffirmed the coalition's plan: “By the first quarter of 2026, the name of our presidential candidate will be made known to Kenyans. The Opposition Coalition is not just an ordinary alliance; it is your alternative government waiting to take power.”
Both leaders stress eventual unity and a single candidate to challenge Ruto, but this disagreement underscores internal hurdles in the coalition's path.