Kalonzo Musyoka’s Wiper Patriotic Front (WPF) has dismissed claims by Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala that the party will meet the Wiper leader on Monday to persuade him to support Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s 2027 presidential bid.
Wiper, through its party spokesperson, lawyer Ndegwa Njiru, rejected Malala’s remarks shortly after the DCP deputy leader announced the planned meeting.
Malala said DCP had settled on Sifuna as its preferred candidate to represent the Opposition in the race against President William Ruto and was reaching out to other leaders to build consensus around his candidacy.
“You have seen DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua meet Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna the other day. They are united,” Malala said.
“We have said we also want to talk to Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka. We want him to support Sifuna.”
He added: “On Monday, we are going to meet Kalonzo. In DCP, we have agreed Sifuna is up to the task.”
However, Njiru dismissed the assertion, accusing Malala of advancing a divisive narrative that could undermine efforts to unite the Opposition ahead of the 2027 General Election.
“I urge the media to treat this statement with the contempt it deserves. The remarks attributed to Senator Malala can only be characterised as the work of a playwright rather than a serious political actor. Malala appears intent on driving a divisive knife through the heart of the opposition,” Njiru said.
The exchange highlights the differences emerging among opposition leaders over who should carry their presidential ticket as they seek to mount a joint challenge against President Ruto.
The claims come days after Gachagua returned from an almost two-month tour of the United States and met leaders associated with the Linda Mwananchi movement, led by Sifuna.
During the meeting, Gachagua disclosed that they had explored possible ways of working together ahead of the 2027 elections, fuelling discussions about potential political alliances within the Opposition.
However, Kalonzo has also been positioning himself for the joint opposition ticket, arguing that his political experience makes him suited to lead the coalition into the next election.
Some opposition figures linked to the presidential ticket contest include Martha Karua of the People’s Liberation Party (PLP), Fred Matiang’i of the Jubilee Party, and Justin Muturi of the Democratic Party (DP), among others.
Sifuna, who is associated with the Linda Mwananchi movement, has also emerged as a potential contender following his engagement with Gachagua.
The competing ambitions have intensified pressure on opposition leaders to agree on a presidential candidate and develop a common strategy before the 2027 polls.
The Opposition has yet to formally settle on a joint presidential candidate, with leaders seeking a consensus that balances political experience, regional support and the need to consolidate votes against the ruling coalition.
