The question of when to name a joint presidential candidate took centre stage on Monday as Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua hosted Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka at his Wamunyoro home in Nyeri.
The talks exposed differences within the United Opposition over the timing of a decision that could shape the 2027 election campaign.
The Nation has established that Mr Musyoka’s team wants the presidential ticket settled as early as December, arguing that an early decision would give the flagbearer time to mobilise resources, build national support and establish international networks ahead of the August 10, 2027 General Election.
Mr Gachagua and his allies, however, want the process delayed until a few months before the election, warning that naming a candidate too early could give President William Ruto an opportunity to entice disgruntled opposition principals into breaking ranks.
The opposition has held meetings to select a candidate while accommodating its principals’ ambitions. On Monday, Mr Gachagua hosted Democratic Action Party-Kenya (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa after meeting Mr Musyoka. Last week, he also met Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, who has declared presidential ambitions through the Linda Mwananchi Movement.
Wiper Democratic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka (left) and Former Deputy President and Democracy for the Citizens Party leader Rigathi Gachagua at Gachagua's WAmunyoro residence in Nyeri County on October 26, 2026.
Photo credit: Pool
Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua said no date had been agreed, noting that the opposition had to accommodate several parties and interests.
“But speakers at the high-level consultative meeting took note of the fact that Kenyans were increasingly getting impatient with the continued delay in naming our presidential candidate,” Mr Wambua told the Nation.
He said the final decision rested with opposition principals, urging them to heed public sentiment as they negotiated the way forward. He suggested that announcing a candidate around Christmas could be welcomed by Kenyans.
Gatanga MP Edward Muriu and Embakasi Central MP Benjamin Gathiru, alias Mejja Donk, said the opposition needed more time to settle the ticket and secure partners’ commitment to support the eventual candidate.
“We have agreed to formalise our partnership, starting with the signing of a charter of honour and unity covenant between the two parties, followed by a political coalition immediately thereafter,” Mr Muriu said.
Mr Gathiru warned that settling on a candidate too early could give Dr Ruto an opening to weaken the opposition by drawing away principals dissatisfied with the outcome.
“We agreed there must be respect among partner parties. The principals will decide on the candidate,” he said.
“That process should not be rushed. We know what Ruto is capable of. He can sponsor principals to break away and run for the presidency,” he added.
People’s Party of Kenya (PPK) leader Ndindi Nyoro also called for more time to build consensus. He argued that the choice should be guided by the country’s circumstances and the candidate best equipped to address its challenges.
“We need to look at where the country is and decide who in our team is best placed to deal with its challenges. We hope the process will be objective and fair,” Mr Nyoro told the
Former Deputy President and Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua hosts Wiper Democratic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka at his Wamunyoro home in Nyeri County on October 26, 2026.
Photo credit: Pool
“As People’s Party, we are willing to support whoever is picked, even if that person is not me. Our hope is that we will rally behind the person we choose,” he said.
Mr Musyoka was accompanied by Mr Wambua, Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Junior and Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti, among other leaders. Mr Gachagua was flanked by Mr Muriu, Nyandarua Senator and DCP secretary-general John Methu, Kipipiri MP Wanjiku Muhika, former Nairobi politician Maina Kamanda, Kiambu Senator Karungo wa Thangwa and Mukurweini MP John Kaguchia, among others.
“The two leaders have committed to bring their political bases together and make the dream of making Dr William Ruto a one-term President a reality on August 10, 2027,” Mr Wambua said.
Mr Methu said DCP and Wiper would work as sister parties and consult other opposition leaders on selecting one candidate.
“DCP and Wiper are committed to coming up with a formula that will send Dr Ruto home in the first round,” he said.
The question echoes challenges facing the opposition before the 2002 General Election, when politicians who had broken away from Kanu struggled to agree on a candidate to challenge the ruling party.
The National Rainbow Coalition (Narc) united opposition leaders and Cabinet ministers who had abandoned Kanu after President Daniel arap Moi endorsed Uhuru Kenyatta as his preferred successor. Despite their desire to end Kanu’s rule, the coalition faced protracted negotiations over who should lead it into the December 27, 2002 election.
In his book Seasons of Hope , former Kitui senator David Musila recounts how the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga resolved the impasse with his famous “Kibaki Tosha” declaration on September 22, 2002, about three months before the election.
Mr Musila recalls a Serena Hotel meeting attended by Mr Musyoka, Mr Odinga, Charles Nyachae, Moody Awori, Prof George Saitoti and William ole Ntimama, where the group discussed how to settle on a flagbearer.
Mr Musila writes that uncertainty over the candidate was becoming difficult to sustain. At Uhuru Park, Mr Odinga declared “Kibaki Tosha”, drawing a roar of approval from the crowd and resolving the impasse.
Ahead of the December 27, 2007 General Election, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) named Lang’ata MP Mr Odinga as its presidential candidate on September 1. He faced President Kibaki, who sought re-election on the Party of National Unity ticket.
For the March 4, 2013 election, Mr Odinga was endorsed as the Coalition for Reforms and De-mocracy (Cord) candidate on December 22, 2012, after then Vice-President Mr Musyoka stepped down in his favour. A day later, delegates from The National Alliance and the United Republican Party endorsed Mr Kenyatta as the Jubilee coalition’s candidate.
Ahead of the August 8, 2017 election, the National Super Alliance (NASA) named Mr Odinga as its candidate on April 27, while Jubilee Party delegates endorsed Mr Kenyatta on May 6.
For the August 9, 2022 election, Azimio la Umoja endorsed Mr Odinga on March 12. In Kenya Kwanza, Dr Ruto was formally elected United Democratic Alliance leader and presidential candidate at the party’s National Delegates Conference on March 15, 2022.
