People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua (centre) addresses journalists flanked by (from left) Dr Fred Matiangi, former Attorney-General Justin Muturi, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and other opposition leaders at SKM Command Center in Nairobi on July 8, 2025.
Fresh leadership wrangles, a looming sibling rivalry in the upcoming mini-polls and competing political interests among partner parties are emerging as a major litmus test for the unity of the opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 contest.
In the Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) – a partner party in the opposition camp – party leader Eugene Wamalwa is facing a vicious internal rebellion staged by his deputy George Natembeya, who is also the Trans Nzoia Governor.
DAP-K is also engaged in a bitter sibling rivalry with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) over the Malava constituency by-election.
Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) Party Leader Eugene Wamalwa (center, podium) briefs media at the party offices on August 01, 2025, on reports of leadership wrangles within the party.
DCP, through its deputy party leader Cleophas Malala, recently caused a storm when he demanded that DAP-K withdraw from the race in favour of DCP.
DCP is fronting Mr Edgar Busiega, while DAP-K favours Kenya National Union of Nurses Secretary-General Seth Panyako. Mr Busiega, a former Amani National Congress (ANC) party member, moved to DAP-K following the folding of ANC, before finally moving to DCP of Mr Gachagua.
“Our party leader and the National Executive Council have committed resources to ensure DCP wins more than 50 per cent of the available seats in the by-elections,” Mr Malala said during the unveiling of the candidates in Nairobi.
In Mt Kenya, DCP, Democratic Party (DP) led by former Attorney General Justin Muturi, and People’s Liberation Party of Martha Karua are all planning to field candidates in the Mbere North by-election.
Mr Geoffrey Ruku, who resigned from the position to join the Cabinet, was elected on DP. The party now insists it should be backed by the other opposition outfits to retain the seat.
Cold war
“We shall field a candidate in Mbeere North and have no intention of ceding ground for DCP or any other party. We have been in talks with Mr Kalonzo Musyoka and Mr Wamalwa, and they agree with us,” DP Secretary-General Jacob Haji said on Tuesday.
DCP and Jubilee Party of former President Uhuru Kenyatta are also having a cold war over the candidature of ex-Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i. Jubilee is keen on having Dr Matiang’i as its possible presidential candidate in the 2027 election, a position that Mr Gachagua is against.
Mr Gachagua is pushing Dr Matiang’i to run on a home-grown party for purposes of negotiations at the national level. Already, some leaders from Gusii land are of the idea that the former powerful Cabinet Secretary should run on the United Progressive Alliance (UPA).
“Some of our members feel he should use the United Progressive Alliance (UPA). Others say using UPA would be seen as going back to his tribal conclave. I can tell you that Gachagua has been honest with us that he was kicked out of government because he did not have his party,” Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka told the Nation in a previous interview.
In the latest leadership wrangles within DAP-K, Mr Natembeya and Mumias East Peter Salasya are pushing for leadership change in the party ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
A rift has since emerged between factions loyal to Mr Wamalwa and those backing Governor Natembeya. The discord has intensified in recent weeks, with both camps submitting petitions to the Secretary General, Dr Eseli Simiyu.
Mr Natembeya’s faction is demanding an urgent National Executive Council (NEC) meeting to begin a rebranding process, accusing the current leadership of stagnation and causing the party to lose relevance.
Broader power grab
However, Mr Wamalwa’s supporters view these efforts as a veiled attempt to undermine the party’s leadership structure. They argue that calls for reform are part of a broader power grab by opponents within the party.
Dr Simiyu referred the matter to the National Management Committee (NMC), expressing disappointment over what he called an unusual turn to legal action by some party members.
“I am shocked that party officials who have direct access to me opted to engage lawyers and even offered to fund meetings of party organs, something that has never happened in our history,” Dr Simiyu said in a letter dated July 29.
He made the statement as analysts warned that the infighting could damage DAP-K’s credibility, weaken its standing, and reduce its effectiveness as an opposition force.
Despite growing signs of division, Governor Natembeya has downplayed the crisis, describing it as part of a broader transformation agenda aimed at expanding the party's national appeal.
“Unfortunately, a few individuals want to treat the party as their personal property. The rebranding is about strengthening structures and making DAP-K competitive ahead of 2027,” he said.
Calls for leadership change in the party are gaining momentum in Trans Nzoia, where a faction is pushing for Mr Natembeya to replace Mr Wamalwa as party leader.
Mr Erick Wafula, the Hospital Ward MCA and former Minority Leader in the Trans Nzoia County Assembly, is among those championing the change.
“We have consulted widely, and many believe Mr Natembeya is best suited to lead us into the future. Mr Wamalwa should transition to the role of party patron,” Mr Wafula said.
However, Dr Simiyu dismissed the sentiments as personal opinion and not representative of the party’s official stance.
“Party positions are communicated through formal structures, not press conferences,” he said, adding that internal mechanisms exist to address leadership disputes.
Mr Wafula maintained that his statements reflect a broader desire for change, but opposition from Mr Wamalwa’s camp has been fierce.
Mr Dan Wafula, a NEC member aligned with Mr Wamalwa, termed the push for leadership change as ‘an attempted coup.’
“The party leader deserves respect for building one of the most successful new parties in the country,” he said.
A recent meeting in Webuye between Mr Wamalwa and Mr Natembeya aimed at de-escalating tensions reportedly ended in disagreement.
Dr Simiyu acknowledged that leadership transitions are possible, but emphasised that they must follow due process.
“Change is not the issue, process is,” he stated.
In a recent interview with Sulwe FM, Mr Wamalwa echoed this sentiment.
“If the party elects someone else, I will support them fully. But if I am re-elected, I expect the same level of respect,” he said, reaffirming his commitment to internal democracy.
Founded shortly before the 2022 elections, DAP-K has grown into a key player within the Azimio coalition, with Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula and former Kanduyi MP Wafula Wamunyinyi serving as deputy party leaders.
The current leadership standoff marks a critical test of the party’s unity and maturity. If unresolved, the internal dispute could derail DAP-K’s preparations for 2027 and erode public trust, weakening its mission as a viable national opposition.
