Sifuna signals readiness to united opposition front ahead of next polls

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has signalled a willingness to work with rival political camps to form a united opposition coalition, saying such a move could offer Kenyans a credible alternative government.

Sifuna said the country is ripe for a consolidated opposition that can challenge the incumbent with a single presidential candidate, rather than a fragmented field that splits votes.

The senator proposed a two-horse race model in the next general election, arguing that a simplified ballot would sharpen the contest and give voters a clearer choice.

“Kenyans are suffering and have told us that they want fresh leadership. What are we supposed to do? We are supposed to give Kenyans hope as a political leadership and send home the current government, even if it means that the rest of us unite,” he said.

“We don’t want a ballot paper that has many names to tire Kenyans. We only need two names, the incumbent and one from the opposition. That will follow deep talks,” he added.

Sifuna emphasised that such a coalition would not be rushed, noting that structured, face-to-face negotiations among opposition leaders would be necessary to align on policy direction and leadership.

“We shall talk face to face and ask each other what the intentions and plans for the country are,” he said.

This is even as leaders are increasingly exploring alliances to strengthen their chances against the ruling coalition.

Sifuna is leading a parallel ODM faction, Linda Mwananchi, that has been positioning itself as young leaders seeking to unseat President William Ruto. 

In December 2025, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who leads DCP, told Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino that they were free to join his party if they felt dissatisfied within ODM.

Gachagua defended his stepped-up mobilisation, saying he was within his rights to promote his party.

“Let nobody make me feel like I am committing any political crime by marketing my party. That is my job,” he said.

He told Sifuna and Babu that they were welcome in DCP or any other party within the United Opposition.

“Edwin Sifuna, if you are chased in ODM, come to DCP. Sifuna is a great senator in Nairobi, and I have no problem with DCP supporting him to be senator of Nairobi in 2027,” he said.

He extended a similar invitation to Babu, saying, “Babu Owino, if you are chased in ODM, come to DCP.”

Gachagua described DCP as the party of Kenyan patriots, but added that if the two leaders preferred not to join DCP, they could still work with Wiper.