DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua has repeatedly maintained that opposition-affiliate parties will only cooperate at the presidential level.
While creating an avenue for rival parties to penetrate each other’s traditional strongholds, the strategy could also trigger friendly fire in the opposition ranks.
The emerging rivalry is expected to intensify as DCP, Linda Mwananchi, Jubilee, PNU, Democratic Party, Wiper Patriotic Front and DAP-K begin fronting aspirants across different regions.
The scramble for parliamentary, county and ward positions could see the same parties that are seeking to cooperate at the presidential level fighting bitterly for influence on the ground, potentially complicating efforts to forge a united opposition front.
The parties are increasingly venturing into areas regarded as the traditional strongholds of their allies, setting the stage for direct contests between formations.
Political analyst Fred Sasia said the competition is significant because the parties are not only seeking parliamentary and county positions but also attempting to build grassroots structures ahead of the presidential contest.
He said the scramble for MPs, senators, governors, women representatives and MCAs could cause divisions in the opposition and complicate efforts to negotiate a common electoral arrangement.
“Tensions are expected to rise further as parties unveil more candidates in areas where their allies already have established political networks and preferred aspirants,” Sasia said.
Nairobi is expected to become the epicentre of the emerging political contest, with DCP, Wiper and Linda Mwananchi likely to come face to face as they seek to establish themselves as the dominant opposition force in the capital.
The three formations could face off across several elective positions, making Nairobi an important test of their organisational strength, grassroots mobilisation and popularity.
Political commentator Caleb Burudi said the rivalry in Nairobi could provide an early indication of whether the opposition would be able to contain its internal competition ahead of 2027.
“If the parties proceed with separate candidates in constituencies and wards where their support overlaps, they risk splitting votes and handing an advantage to candidates backed by rival political formations,” he explained.
Former Deputy President and DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua has already predicted a three-way contest involving Wiper, DCP and Linda Mwananchi in Nairobi, while dismissing ODM as a spent force in the capital.
Gachagua said DCP has put in place structures to sponsor candidates for major elective positions across the country.
“We are a national party and it is our intention to field candidates in all 47 counties for gubernatorial, senatorial, National Assembly and county assembly seats,” he said when unveiling the party's blueprint for the 2027 elections.
The Nairobi governor's race could become one of the most closely watched contests.
Embakasi North MP James Gakuya has emerged as a prominent figure associated with Gachagua's DCP and is expected to be a major contender if the party settles on him for City Hall.
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino is also positioning himself for the governor's seat and has been associated with the Linda Mwananchi movement. His established political base in Nairobi could make him a significant player in the contest.
Businessman and political commentator Tony Gachoka, who is associated with Kanu, is also positioning himself for the seat, while former Nairobi Deputy Governor Polycarp Igathe of Jubilee has again been mentioned among potential contenders.
Wiper Patriotic Front, led by Kalonzo Musyoka, is also expected to field a candidate, setting the stage for a potentially crowded contest in the capital.
The emerging rivalry is also evident in Meru, where opposition formations are already positioning their preferred candidates for the 2027 gubernatorial race.
During a recent mobilisation tour of Meru, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna strongly defended former Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza, saying she had endured unprecedented political harassment while in office.
Sifuna also criticised attacks against women in leadership, warning that such treatment could discourage more women from entering politics.
Mwangaza, in turn, threw her weight behind Sifuna's political ambitions, urging residents of Meru to support his bid for the presidency in the 2027 General Election.
But DCP has already taken a different position in the gubernatorial contest.
Gachagua, during political rallies in Meru, endorsed former Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi for the Meru governorship.
Gachagua drummed up support for Linturi during rallies in areas including Muringene in Igembe Central and Makutano, presenting the DCP national organising secretary as his preferred candidate to take over the county's leadership in 2027.
PNU leader and former Meru Governor Peter Munya has also said he is ready to reclaim the gubernatorial seat, setting up another potential contest involving opposition-linked politicians.
A similar situation is emerging in Western Kenya, where leaders associated with different opposition formations are positioning themselves for gubernatorial and other elective seats.
Several aspirants have already joined the Linda Mwananchi movement as they await the unveiling of the political party that will carry its candidates in the next elections.
Former Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati has distanced himself from DAP-K and aligned himself with Sifuna's movement.
He has declared that he is ready to use whichever political party the movement eventually unveils as he seeks to reclaim the Bungoma governorship.
Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, who was elected on a DAP-K ticket, has also shifted his focus towards the emerging movement and announced that he will defend his gubernatorial seat using the party that Linda Mwananchi eventually unveils.
Sifuna has endorsed Natembeya's re-election bid, urging Trans Nzoia residents to rally behind him as he continues to mobilise support for the movement across the country.
The developments place DAP-K, led by former CS Eugene Wamalwa, in a delicate position as the party remains part of the opposition faction, while some of its elected leaders increasingly associate themselves with Linda Mwananchi.
The political movements are also being complicated by politicians shifting allegiance between opposition formations.
Murang'a Governor Irungu Kang'ata had earlier been associated with Linda Mwananchi before joining DCP. He is now expected to seek re-election on the DCP ticket.
