But beneath the consultations, disagreements over presidential ambitions, coalition strategy and emerging political alliances are exposing unity challenges

DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua in Juja Farm on October 30, 2026

DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua faces a delicate balancing act in managing competing interests in the United Opposition, as political leaders intensify consultations over the coalition’s presidential ticket.

The challenge of keeping the opposition together was laid bare on Friday when Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka was heckled by supporters of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna during the launch of the Linda Mwananchi Movement headquarters in Lavington, Nairobi.

The incident exposed growing friction between supporters of the two leaders, with sections of the crowd chanting “President Sifuna” as Kalonzo attempted to address the gathering.

The Wiper leader had taken issue with DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa for appearing to declare Sifuna as a presidential candidate before formal party processes had been concluded.

Kalonzo reminded the gathering that Sifuna would have to wait until November 13 for the party's delegates to deliberate on the question of his candidature.

The remarks did not go down well with sections of the audience, forcing Sifuna to intervene and ask his supporters to allow Kalonzo to finish his address.

“This is no way to treat our guests. Just let us listen to them. We have been honoured by their presence,” Sifuna told the crowd.

The incident prompted Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya to appeal for discipline, tolerance and mutual respect, warning that hostility towards fellow opposition leaders could undermine efforts to build a common political front against President William Ruto.

Natembeya, who has been tasked with leading Sifuna's presidential campaign, acknowledged that Kalonzo had left the event upset and urged supporters to be more accommodating of leaders with different political ambitions.

“You know the position we are in now is delicate. We must speak to one another. Our people, as we continue with this journey, let us be more accommodating. We know where Kenyans stand, but let us not ruin this journey,” he said.

He warned that political opponents could exploit the divisions by organising disruptions at opposition gatherings, urging supporters to allow leaders to consult and agree on a common candidate.

The incident illustrates the delicate political negotiations taking place within the opposition, where competing presidential ambitions and the growing influence of emerging political formations are complicating efforts to settle on a common candidate.

Since returning from his US tour, Gachagua has hosted Sifuna and the Linda Mwananchi faction, Kalonzo and Wamalwa.

These meetings have placed him at the centre of efforts to negotiate a joint opposition candidate.

Gachagua maintains the meetings are part of ongoing consultations to identify a joint candidate.

However, recent exchanges among opposition figures indicate the negotiations are taking place amid competing interests over who should lead the alliance and how the ambitions of different political formations will be accommodated.

The tensions became apparent yet again after DCP deputy leader Cleophas Malala claimed the party had discussed with Gachagua and agreed to endorse Sifuna for the presidency.

Gachagua moved to distance the party from the remarks, saying they reflected Malala’s personal views and not an official DCP position. He said he had reprimanded Malala and asked him to clarify the distinction.

Sifuna’s engagement with Gachagua has opened another channel in the opposition negotiations, but it also adds to the list of leaders whose ambitions and political bases must be considered.

The Sifuna factor is also causing some discomfort in the Kalonzo camp.

Wiper spokesperson Ndegwa Njiru on Saturday strongly rejected claims by Malala regarding a DCP endorsement of Sifuna.

Malala had also suggested that the party would meet Kalonzo to persuade him to step down and support Sifuna.

At the Linda Mwananchi launch, Kalonzo sought to clarify that he was not opposed to Sifuna's ambitions but wanted the process to follow established party procedures.

He also reminded the gathering that he had received a mandate to pursue the presidency at a delegates' conference on October 10, 2025.

Despite the hostile reception, Kalonzo pledged to support Sifuna if he emerged as the opposition's preferred candidate, adding that he would equally support Gachagua or Wamalwa if either secured the coalition's backing.

Wamalwa's engagement with Gachagua has also added another layer to the consultations as Sifuna and Eugene draw much of their backyard support from the Western region.

The challenge for Gachagua is to ensure that engaging one faction does not create the impression that he has already settled on a preferred candidate.

The negotiations are further complicated by the emerging political cooperation between Jubilee leader Fred Matiang’i, Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro and PLP leader Martha Karua.

The grouping introduces another centre of influence into the opposition discussions, raising questions about how its interests will be reconciled with those of Gachagua, Kalonzo and other leaders seeking a place in the eventual lineup.

Gachagua and his allies have also been critical of political positions they consider unhelpful to opposition unity.

Nyandarua Senator and DCP secretary general-designate John Methu said the party was willing to engage like-minded formations but would not work with those whose position is that “if we are not the candidates, Ruto should remain in power”.

The remarks appeared directed at Jubilee Party deputy leader Jeremiah Kioni.

The tensions have also spilled into personal exchanges between Nyoro and Methu over contributions towards the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election campaign.

Nyoro disputed claims that he had not contributed, saying he gave Methu an undisclosed amount directly, while another tranche was channelled through a different person.

Gachagua has sought to distance himself from the dispute, dismissing the exchange as petty politics and insisting that his attention remains on building an opposition strategy.

“I will not deal with pettiness and trivialities. I am a national leader. I am a possible president of the Republic of Kenya in another nine months. I would like to be preserved to deal with national issues,” he said during a television interview.

“I have no time to entertain petty conversations. I have no time to listen to the trivialities. I have no intention of picking petty wars with anybody because I am a man on a mission.”

Gachagua's stance has been interpreted as a deliberate move to prevent personal disputes from overshadowing the negotiations.

But the heckling of Kalonzo at an event meant to consolidate the opposition's political mobilisation illustrates the difficulty of translating elite-level consultations into unity among supporters.

With several leaders maintaining presidential ambitions and their supporters increasingly asserting competing preferences, Gachagua faces the task of keeping the different camps engaged without allowing the contest for political influence to fracture the opposition before it settles on a common candidate.