DCP and Wiper leaders in Wamunyoro, Nyeri County, on August 18, 2026A fresh storm is brewing in the opposition after leaders rejected a DCP-Wiper plan to strike an early two-party deal before bringing the rest on board.
Some leaders rubbished the plan by DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua and his Wiper counterpart Kalonzo Musyoka as a “selfish boardroom” agreement and vowed to reject it.
Amid the tough talk, the Star has established that Kalonzo and Gachagua are fine-tuning the joint working framework that would define their collaboration plan.
After the framework is signed, DCP and Wiper would begin holding joint rallies.
“A small group sitting to conspire against the other only helps to kill the goodwill people have given to that group,” Jubilee deputy party leader Jeremiah Kioni told the Star.
Kioni warned that no deal should be made without involving the wider opposition coalition.
Kioni accused Gachagua and Kalonzo of seeking an early arrangement that could lock out other presidential hopefuls in the opposition.
“We think they're selfish. And we must make sure that selfish or individual things do not override the desire of Kenyans to bring change,” he said.
On Wednesday, the Star exclusively reported that the Gachagua-Kalonzo deal could have far-reaching consequences, as the two could decide on the presidential flagbearer.
This means the rest of the contenders, such as Fred Matiang’i and Edwin Sifuna, could only be allowed to gun for the running mate slot.
There are also speculations that Wiper and DCP would have a deal zoning cosmopolitan areas for fielding candidates.
Kioni singled out Jubilee presidential aspirant Matiang’i, whom he said had emerged as the most popular candidate within the opposition and in Mt Kenya.
“The most popular candidate in the united opposition and within the Mt Kenya region is Matiang'i. There has been every effort made by those within the united opposition, especially DCP, Wiper and even DAP-Kenya, to undermine him,” Kioni said.
The backlash came a day after Gachagua hosted Kalonzo and his team and proposed an initial partnership between DCP and Wiper.
“I want to ask for a partnership between the two parties as we also engage the others. The more the merrier,” Gachagua said.
“What I am asking is for DCP and Wiper to first unite. Isn’t it, then we talk to the others?” he added.
Kioni maintained that any agreement must reflect the wishes of Kenyans rather than the interests of individual politicians or parties.
DAP-K secretary general Eseli Simiyu also termed the declaration of the two-party deal unfortunate.
He warned that such a move risked disillusioning constituent parties and their followers.
Simiyu noted that there are ongoing discussions within the opposition and said such remarks risked causing despondency.
“I would encourage our members to desist from issuing divisive remarks because many things are being discussed. It is important that there are consultations before such announcements are made,” he said on the phone.
Brian Weke, a member of the Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna-led Linda Mwananchi, downplayed the Kalonzo-Gachagua plan.
“This is part of the political jostling for space. Everybody is fighting. For us, we have James Orengo and Sifuna. We will decide who we send to the table,” Weke said.
Weke said opposition principals would negotiate as equal partners, notwithstanding pre-deals among some principals.
“What we can assure Kenyans is that we shall front one candidate against Ruto. That candidate will be picked based on popularity and proper arithmetic,” he said.
Gatanga MP Edward Muriu said the initial deal between DCP and Wiper was aimed at striking a working formula as they prepared to formalise their coalition.
“We have a meeting happening between the two parties shortly to craft what we call a joint working framework so, at least, we can do what we call synergise on our part and synergise on their part,” he said.
“You will now start seeing Wiper and DCP hold joint rallies, joint functions, as we build what we call a common agreement between the parties.”
Former Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana warned the deal risked causing friction within the united opposition ranks.
While acknowledging Gachagua as a “political tsunami”, Kibwana warned that formations outside the United Opposition could end up undermining opposition unity.
“The proposed initial DCP-Wiper coalition of new GEMAA outside the United Alternative Government Opposition and the duo Linda Mwananchi-Tribeless Gen Z could complicate opposition unity. It is also time to unveil the new Kenyan vision,” Kibwana said.
Muriu said the move was the first step by the two parties but added that none of the opposition parties was excluded from joining them at any stage.
“We envisage that along the way other parties will join us. But I think we decided the best thing is for us to start the journey and the rest will just join us as we go along,” he said.
He added that the two parties would retreat in a month to craft the terms and conditions of their engagement before others joined.
“The parties are welcome. When they feel they are ready now to sign on the dotted line, they are welcome. But I think the most important thing is to start the journey.”
Makueni Senator and close Kalonzo ally Dan Maanzo, however, downplayed any dissatisfaction in the opposition camp.
Maanzo, who was present in Wamunyoro on Tuesday, said Kalonzo, Gachagua and Sifuna were working closely together to form a strong united opposition.
“Wiper and DCP have been working together. There are DCP people in Wiper and Wiper people in DCP.”
“Also, remember that Wiper was the first to help Gachagua during the impeachment, which he repeated during our meeting and thanked us. As he said, it is about paying back the kindness,” he told the Star.
Maanzo denied concerns that the two could be moving fast to lock out other partners.
“Recently, you saw Sifuna and the Linda Mwananchi team visiting Kalonzo. We have in fact donated some of our senior members to the Sifuna camp.”
“In fact, I can tell you that Sifuna is our closest ally, having worked with him under Raila Odinga’s presidential campaigns,” Maanzo added.
Machakos Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi also echoed Maanzo’s remarks, saying the visit by Wiper leaders to Wamunyoro aimed to strengthen unity between the parties.
“We were sent by our party to sustain unity talks and to build trust. We want to have Wiper on our side and to have a strong DCP so that we don’t divide our vote because that is what Ruto wants.”
Last month, Kalonzo and his allies claimed that Gachagua had endorsed him as the opposition's presidential flagbearer for the 2027 general election.
Speaking during a private function in his Tseikuru backyard, Kalonzo appeared to confirm that Gachagua had settled on him as the coalition's preferred candidate.
“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.
Earlier, Kitui Senator Wambua claimed the opposition principals had already agreed on Kalonzo's candidature and that Gachagua was using the Wamunyoro consultations to prepare his supporters for the decision.
“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.
Two weeks ago, Wambua, a close ally of Kalonzo, claimed the coalition would unveil its candidate within two weeks.
“From the discussions we have had, and I believe I have the authority to say this, Kalonzo Musyoka will be given the united opposition flag in the next two weeks,” Wambua said.
