Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has dismissed claims that his Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) has endorsed Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna for the 2027 presidential election, insisting that recent remarks by deputy party leader Cleophas Malala reflect a personal view, not an official party decision.
Gachagua said Malala was free to campaign for Sifuna but had no authority to announce the party’s position on the presidential race.
“First and foremost, the deputy party leader Cleophas Malala is not the spokesman of DCP,” Gachagua said. He added that only the party leader or secretary-general could communicate its official position.
The clarification comes as political leaders begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 General Election, with discussions over possible alliances and presidential candidates gaining momentum.
Gachagua explains Malala’s position
Gachagua suggested that Malala’s remarks were aimed at appealing to voters in Western Kenya, where Sifuna has a political following.
“When he is speaking in Western, he is speaking what the people of Western would want to hear, and he is a good politician,” Gachagua said.
He added that Malala had repeatedly tried to persuade him to back Sifuna’s presidential ambitions. According to Gachagua, the lobbying was legitimate, provided it was not presented as an official party decision.
“He is still persuading me,” Gachagua said.
The former deputy president said he had advised Malala to make it clear that he was expressing his personal opinion rather than speaking for DCP.
No official endorsement yet
Gachagua maintained that the party had not formally selected Sifuna as its preferred presidential candidate.
He also rejected the suggestion that he could persuade Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka to support the Nairobi senator, saying political leaders should make their own decisions through negotiations.
“Sifuna himself should persuade Kalonzo. Kalonzo should persuade Sifuna and everybody should persuade each other,” he said.
Gachagua added that politicians within his own camp were also lobbying Sifuna and Kalonzo to support his political ambitions.
His remarks point to the negotiations taking place among opposition figures as they consider possible partnerships ahead of the next election.
For now, Gachagua’s position is that Malala can continue advocating for Sifuna, but his comments should not be taken as evidence that DCP has endorsed the senator.
Any formal decision on the party’s presidential candidate remains to be communicated through its authorised leadership.
