Kalonzo Musyoka (left) and Rigathi Gachagua during a meeting by leaders of the Opposition in Nairobi on September 8, 2025.
In what appears to be a concerted push to present Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka as Mt Kenya’s preferred presidential candidate, the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) has outlined eight qualities it says make him uniquely appealing to the region.
Mr Musyoka and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua—both one–time holders of the country’s second–highest office—now sit in the United Opposition as principals. Other principals with presidential ambitions include Jubilee Party leader Dr Fred Matiang’i, Democratic Action Party Kenya (DAP–K) boss Eugene Wamalwa, People’s Liberation Party (PLP) chief Martha Karua and Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya.
Kalonzo Musyoka (left) and DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua attend the Wiper Patriotic Front National Delegates Convention (NDC) at Uhuru Park in Nairobi on October 10, 2025.
But it is Mr Gachagua’s public messaging that has jolted political circles, with the former DP projecting himself as a man preparing to pass the baton to Mr Musyoka. He insists the Wiper leader possesses eight qualities that make him the alliance’s “prime candidate”, adding that Mr Musyoka “should walk back home with all honours after his unsuccessful bids since 2007”.
Political loyalty
Mr Gachagua says he trusts Mr Musyoka’s political loyalty, describing him as “someone who will not betray Kenya”, and noting that the two hail from political families with shared histories. “He is not stupid not to realise how prime he is currently,” he said, claiming the pair already have an understanding and share a sense of political victimhood. He further cites Mr Musyoka’s 15 years of experience attempting to unseat sitting governments and his perceived ability to draw the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) into the opposition alliance.
Above all, he terms him “a gentleman who does not renege on agreements”. Mr Gachagua’s open endorsement of Mr Musyoka highlights the delicate path the United Opposition must navigate as it prepares for the 2027 elections.
Political scientist Gasper Odhiambo notes that the coalition’s biggest hurdles include keeping fringe parties united, reaching consensus on the presidential ticket and managing joint nominations at county, constituency and ward levels.
United Opposition leaders, led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua (center), DAP-K Party leader Eugene Wamalwa (left) and Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka (right), address the media at SKM command center in Nairobi on November 3, 2025.
“Beyond that,” he adds, “financing the campaigns, countering the savageness of the incumbent, sluggish Gen Z voter registration, Gen Z turnout—and ensuring they actually vote for the opposition—are major challenges. And now we have emerging political fronts like Kenya Moja with splinter groups from both the government and the United Opposition.”
While addressing supporters in Murang’a County yesterday, Mr Gachagua said his strategy is anchored on mobilising the numbers needed to vote out President William Ruto.
“I would be very afraid if politics was not defined as a game of numbers. In the end, winning is about combining winning numbers,” he said. In Murang’a the same day, Mr Musyoka responded: “Mr Gachagua is always truthful, and I like how he breaks down complex issues into simplicity.”
During a Thanksgiving service at Dominion City Church in Kasarani last Sunday, Mr Gachagua reinforced his position: “This journey requires Musyoka’s expertise.”
Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka (left), DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua, Pastor Dorcas Rigathi and former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi during a Sunday church service at Christian Dominion Ministries in Kasarani on December 7, 2025.
According to him, defeating President Ruto in 2027 “will take more than sloganeering. It will require a solid candidate, a cohesive alliance, a proven ability to mobilise turnout and the capacity to convert mobilisation into votes against the incumbent”.
Mr Gachagua has repeatedly argued that Mt Kenya can deliver between seven and eight million votes, while Ukambani can marshal between three and four million. Since 2002, Mr Musyoka has maintained a firm grip on Ukambani politics, consistently steering his backyard towards his preferred political direction.
Even after losing the running mate slot in 2022, he still managed to deliver the region’s vote to Azimio leader Raila Odinga. Analysts say these factors make Mr Musyoka the kind of running mate—or candidate—Mr Gachagua would prefer: a figure able to consolidate his base without question.
“If Gachagua were to deliver the Mt Kenya vote and Musyoka the Ukambani vote, their formation would be very hard to beat,” Mr Odhiambo said. “It would easily attract top–ups from smaller formations.”
Mr Gachagua’s recent rhetoric—including dismissing Jubilee Party as “a red wheelbarrow” and warning that some leaders “want to come to Mt Kenya through the backdoor”—has been interpreted as an attempt to zone the coalition’s presidential ticket in favour of Mr Musyoka. He has also dismissed former President Uhuru Kenyatta as “the retired past”, while presenting himself as “the present and future of the mountain”.
This raises the question of what next for the United Opposition.
Mr Wamalwa told Daily Nation there is no cause for alarm.
“I warn our supporters that to get the best outcome, we must strive for the best combination,” he said. “All these conversations are good. It means we are bonding. What matters is our final ticket, which will be consensus–based.”
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua (left) confers with Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka at a past event.
Dr Matiang’i, speaking recently on Kameme TV, said consensus-building is complex but ongoing.
“We are in one pool,” he said. “We are building consensus. It’s not easy. But Kenyans want us to stick together. Doomsayers claim we are fighting—we are not even close to fighting.”
Governor Natembeya echoed the sentiment, describing the ongoing public utterances as normal in alliance building.
“Being in a coalition does not erase individual preferences or biases,” he said. “But I can assure you that our flag bearer will be chosen through public participation. We do not want a candidate propelled by godfathers. We want an organic candidate endorsed by all generations—a compromise candidate.”
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