The race to shape Kenya’s opposition ahead of the 2027 General Election has taken another dramatic turn after KANU spokesman Tony Gachoka publicly backed Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna for the opposition presidential ticket.
His remarks, made while responding to calls by Embakasi East MP Babu Owino for early opposition unity, quickly drew a fiery response from Wiper Patriotic Front spokesperson Ndegwa Njiru, who questioned Gachoka’s political consistency.
Highlights
- Tony Gachoka has endorsed Edwin Sifuna as a possible opposition flagbearer.
- Gachoka urged Rigathi Gachagua to support Sifuna.
- Ndegwa Njiru accused Gachoka of repeatedly changing political positions.
- The dispute comes amid growing efforts to shape a united opposition ahead of 2027.
- Babu Owino has called for opposition leaders to begin unity talks early.
Main Story
Gachoka Throws Support Behind Sifuna
The latest political exchange began after Babu Owino called for opposition parties and leaders to start working on a unity arrangement rather than waiting until the election year.
Responding to the Embakasi East MP, Gachoka argued that the question of who should lead the opposition should involve ordinary Kenyans rather than being settled exclusively in private meetings between political leaders.
He then openly endorsed Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna as his preferred candidate for the opposition presidential ticket.
Gachoka also called on former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to support Sifuna, suggesting that such backing could help rally other opposition figures around the senator.
Njiru Questions Gachoka’s Political Shifts
The endorsement did not go unanswered.
Ndegwa Njiru responded by accusing Gachoka of frequently changing his preferred political candidates depending on the circumstances.
Njiru pointed to Gachoka’s previous support for Kalonzo Musyoka before his latest backing of Sifuna.
He argued that the rapid changes raised questions about whether Gachoka’s political positions were driven by a consistent strategy or by the latest political environment.
Njiru described the approach as “weather-vane politics” and questioned whether someone who frequently changes political positions should play a central role in deciding the composition of a future opposition coalition.
Gachagua Dragged Into the Debate
The dispute also brought Gachagua into focus.
Gachoka’s call for the former deputy president to back Sifuna appears to reflect the growing importance of Gachagua’s political influence as opposition leaders consider possible alliances ahead of 2027.
Njiru, however, rejected the idea that Gachagua needs to be instructed on which candidate to support.
He maintained that the eventual opposition flagbearer should be determined by the electorate rather than political personalities attempting to dictate the outcome.
Opposition Unity Takes Centre Stage
The disagreement comes at a time when opposition figures are increasingly debating how to build a credible challenge ahead of the 2027 election.
Babu Owino’s warning that delaying negotiations could hurt the opposition has added pressure on rival camps to begin addressing questions of leadership, coalition structures and candidate selection.
Sifuna’s name has also featured prominently in recent political discussions. SPM Buzz previously reported on his involvement alongside Babu Owino in a rival ODM convention, highlighting the leadership tensions that have continued to shape the party.
Meanwhile, Gachagua has also positioned himself as an important player in the opposition’s 2027 calculations, with SPM Buzz reporting in August that he intended to remain central to a united opposition campaign even if he did not secure the presidential ticket.
The 2027 Question
With the election still months away, the latest exchange shows just how difficult it could be for opposition parties to agree on a single presidential candidate.
The debate is no longer only about defeating the incumbent administration. It is increasingly about who has the political reach, support and credibility to bring different opposition camps under one banner.
For now, Sifuna’s name has been added to that conversation, while the sharp disagreement between Gachoka and Njiru offers a glimpse of the battles that could emerge as coalition negotiations intensify.
As opposition leaders weigh their options for 2027, the biggest question may not be who gets the loudest endorsement but who can convince Kenyans that a united ticket is more than just another political deal.
