People’s Renaissance Movement (PRM) leader Caleb Amisi with a section of party assistants for 2027 at Angelica Resort in Hamisi constituency on Wednesday /HILTON OTENYOPeople’s Renaissance Movement leader Caleb Amisi has urged opposition parties to back Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna as their joint presidential candidate in the next election.
He said Sifuna should be the opposition’s flagbearer if it intends to mount a united challenge against President William Ruto.
Amisi spoke in Vihiga on Wednesday while meeting aspirants seeking to contest various positions on the PRM ticket
The Saboti MP said Sifuna represented a new generation of political leaders and could appeal to young voters across ethnic and regional lines.
He urged former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka to shelve their presidential ambitions and support Sifuna if they were committed to building a united opposition.
“We have no problem with Kalonzo and Gachagua, but they should front Sifuna as the compromise opposition candidate because he is the right person to defeat Ruto,” he said.
Amisi framed the political transition in terms of generations, saying the first generation of independence was led by Jomo Kenyatta, while the second was associated with Kenneth Matiba’s push for multiparty politics.
He said the third generation, led by Raila Odinga, fought for a new constitution and democratic reforms.
“The fourth generation is now for youth like Sifuna, who are fighting for a better economy,” Amisi said.
The legislator cautioned some young voters could stay away from next year's election if Sifuna was not selected as the opposition’s presidential candidate.
Amisi also said he played a key role in the formation of the Linda Mwananchi movement, which he said was initially created to provide a platform for a younger generation of leaders and promote Sifuna’s presidential bid.
His claims came amid disagreements within the movement over its leadership and political direction.
Amisi said PRM would field candidates for all elective positions, including MCAs, MPs, women representatives, governors and senators.
He said the party was expanding its grassroots networks through rallies and mobilisation.
Amisi and his supporters addressed rallies in Majengo and Chavakali in Vihiga county, where he urged residents to join PRM and support its political agenda.
Instant analysis
Amisi’s push for Sifuna as the opposition’s joint presidential candidate adds another layer to the coalition-building battle. His appeal to Gachagua and Kalonzo to step aside highlights the challenge of reconciling multiple presidential ambitions. His claim that young voters could stay away if Sifuna is overlooked also places youth turnout at the centre of the opposition’s emerging strategy, although that assertion remains his political assessment.
