WIPER Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka met former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua at his Wamunyoro residence in Nyeri County on Monday, as opposition leaders stepped up discussions on how to challenge President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election.

The meeting comes amid efforts to bring opposition parties together behind a common presidential candidate, with differences emerging over Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s potential candidacy.

Gachagua, who leads the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), has recently held talks with leaders associated with the Linda Mwananchi Movement, a political camp linked to Sifuna. Their meeting on 20 October raised questions about possible cooperation between the groups ahead of the next election.

Details of the discussions between Kalonzo and Gachagua were not immediately available. However, the meeting comes as opposition leaders seek to establish a common position on who should challenge Ruto.

DCP backs Sifuna's presidential bid

On Sunday, DCP deputy party leader Cleophas Malala said the party intended to persuade Kalonzo to support Sifuna, whom it had identified as its preferred presidential candidate.

Malala said the party was reaching out to other opposition figures to build support for the Nairobi senator.

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

He added that the party wanted Kalonzo to join the effort.

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

Malala maintained that DCP members believed Sifuna was capable of taking on the presidential role.

The remarks, however, drew a sharp response from Wiper, which disputed the suggestion that the planned engagement with Kalonzo was intended to secure his endorsement of Sifuna.

Wiper rejects claims of pressure

Through its spokesperson, lawyer Ndegwa Njiru, Wiper criticised Malala’s account, arguing that it risked creating divisions among opposition leaders.

“I urge the media to treat this statement with the contempt it deserves,” Njiru said.

He accused Malala of undermining efforts to bring the opposition together, describing his remarks as an attempt to drive a wedge between its leaders.

The disagreement highlights the challenges facing opposition parties as they consider possible alliances ahead of the 2027 election.

While DCP has publicly backed Sifuna, Wiper has rejected the characterisation of its planned meeting with Kalonzo as an attempt to persuade him to support the senator.

Opposition faces a choice ahead of 2027

The latest talks follow Gachagua’s return to Kenya from the United States and his engagement with leaders associated with the Linda Mwananchi Movement.

The 20 October meeting at Wamunyoro brought together representatives of DCP and the movement, including former Law Society of Kenya president Faith Odhiambo, communications official Pauline Njoroge, DCP secretary-general John Methu and Malala.

The discussions have added to growing attention on possible opposition alliances, although the extent of any agreement between the groups remains unclear.

With the 2027 General Election approaching, opposition leaders face the task of reconciling their political ambitions and agreeing on a candidate who can unite their supporters.

Whether the talks between Kalonzo, Gachagua and other opposition figures will lead to a shared presidential platform remains to be seen.