Jitters have rocked the opposition after it emerged that DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua has settled on Wiper boss Kalonzo Musyoka as the coalition's preferred presidential candidate.
The revelations have unsettled the anti-Ruto alliance, with fears growing that a candidate could be imposed through a boardroom deal before the coalition agrees on a transparent selection process.
Jubilee deputy party leader Jeremiah Kioni led the pushback, warning that any attempt to hand the ticket to one candidate behind closed doors would be rejected.
"Any person that the opposition picks must be identified by the people. We don't want a boardroom decision that may pick a person who does not fit the bill," Kioni said.
While insisting he has no problem with Kalonzo's presidential bid, Kioni said the opposition must not take ‘risky’ shortcuts.
"Rigathi supports Kalonzo. I support Matiang'i. We are not just picking a person to remove Ruto. We are picking a person who will transform our country. That person cannot be picked in the boardroom," he said.
The former Ndaragua MP said he had long warned that the opposition would eventually face such a dilemma.
"I foresaw this situation a long time ago, but people said I was fighting Rigathi. I have been in the opposition all through. I have never joined Ruto.”
“Some of these people came from Ruto the other day, and there are so many things they don't know about the opposition," he added.
Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, allied to Sifuna’a Linda Mwananchi, termed the reports a distraction.
"These are sideshows that we do not want to focus on now. Our focus is on Linda Mwananchi. We will cross that bridge when we reach there," Osotsi said.
The storm followed remarks by Kalonzo that appeared to confirm that Gachagua had agreed to back him for the top seat.
Speaking during a private burial in Tseikuru, Kitui county, Kalonzo endorsed Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua's revelations that a deal between the two was in the offing.
"You've heard how Senator Enoch Wambua has passionately explained to you what is happening and even shared privileged information. Everything he has said, I want to confirm. That's exactly how things are," Kalonzo said.
He urged supporters to remain united and expressed confidence that the opposition will win next year's election.
"We must continue fighting and, as we traverse every corner of this country, have faith. We shall definitely make it."
Earlier, Wambua claimed the opposition principals had already agreed on Kalonzo's candidature and that Gachagua was only preparing his supporters for the announcement.
"This is the candidate our leaders have already agreed on. Once Gachagua finishes his consultations, he will officially announce to his people that the United Alternative Government presidential candidate is Kalonzo," Wambua said.
The senator said Gachagua has been using his ongoing consultations at his Wamunyoro home in Nyeri to prepare supporters for the possibility that he will not be the coalition's flag-bearer.
"He asks them, 'If I am not in the race and we agree to support Kalonzo, will you vote for him?' Their response has been overwhelmingly positive," Wambua claimed.
The remarks, exclusively reported by the Star on Friday, has heightened anxiety within the opposition, where several senior leaders are also positioning themselves for the presidential ticket.
Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i, now Jubilee's deputy party leader, is among those seeking the coalition's backing.
Others viewed as possible contenders include Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, DAP-Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa, PLP leader Martha Karua and former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi.
The alleged Kalonzo-Gachagua understanding has left the other principals in limbo.
Meanwhile, allies of Gachagua insisted the former deputy president has not locked out any contender.
Sources familiar with his ongoing 45-day political consultations at Wamunyoro say Gachagua has been urging supporters to rally behind whoever is eventually picked as the coalition's flag-bearer, arguing that removing President William Ruto is more important than individual ambition.
Kajiado Senator Seki Kanar said Gachagua remains open to any of the coalition principals leading the alliance.
"Our party leader is open. He knows anyone among the opposition principals can be the flag-bearer," Kanar said.
"He is consulting everyone. We must speak with one voice and remain united. He is seeking the blessing of his supporters before engaging his colleagues in the united opposition."
Former PS Irungu Nyakera also praised Gachagua's reported willingness to support Kalonzo if consensus is reached.
"The opposition's task is not just to choose a candidate, but to restore hope. I am encouraged that my party leader, Rigathi Gachagua, has expressed confidence in a candidate he believes can serve Kenyans selflessly. May unity prevail," Nyakera said.
The consultations came weeks after the High Court upheld Parliament's decision to impeach Gachagua.
However, the court also ruled that the Senate violated his right to a fair hearing and awarded him Sh50 million in damages.
Gachagua has appealed the ruling.
Insiders say the judgment has forced him to rethink his political strategy. It has also made him prepare his supporters for different political outcomes
Before his impeachment, he openly declared an interest in challenging Ruto in 2027. Today, however, his emphasis is on building a united opposition.
When he announced the consultations, Gachagua said he would keep off political rallies for 45 days. "You will not see me anywhere at political rallies for the next 45 days," he said.
So far, he has met delegations from Nairobi, Kiambu, Kwale, Nyandarua, Laikipia, Kajiado, and Narok counties.
