The opposition’s long-held dream of presenting a united front against President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election has suffered a significant setback following a growing political fallout between former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Jubilee Party presidential hopeful Fred Matiang’i.
What began as disagreements over strategy and influence in the Mt Kenya region has now evolved into what insiders describe as a potentially irreversible split within the opposition.
Sources close to both camps say rival factions have emerged around different presidential candidates, raising fresh concerns that the opposition could head into the next election divided.
On one side is Gachagua, who has reportedly settled on supporting Kalonzo Musyoka as the opposition’s presidential flag bearer.
According to insiders within the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), the decision has already been made and key allies have been instructed to align their political activities behind Kalonzo’s candidature.
“All forces have been ordered to rally behind Kalonzo. The position is fully settled,” a source familiar with deliberations in Gachagua’s camp told this publication.
The faction is understood to include DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa and former Attorney General Justin Muturi, both of whom have increasingly been associated with the Gachagua-Kalonzo axis.
On the other side is Matiang’i, whose presidential ambitions have received backing from a powerful coalition of opposition figures. Among those said to be firmly in his corner are former President Uhuru Kenyatta, Siaya Governor James Orengo, Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, PLP leader Martha Karua and PNU leader Peter Munya.
The growing division has forced Kalonzo into an uncomfortable role as mediator, with the Wiper leader reportedly making behind-the-scenes efforts to keep both the Jubilee and DCP camps under one political roof.
However, political observers say the widening gap between the two factions may prove difficult to bridge.
Signs of the split have become increasingly visible in Mt Kenya politics. Both Karua and Munya have kept their distance from recent DCP meetings and political rallies across the region, opting instead to maintain links with the Matiang’i camp.
Their absence has been particularly noticeable at events where Gachagua has sought to consolidate support in the mountain.
The situation is further complicated by long-standing political differences between Munya and DCP National Organising Secretary Mithika Linturi over the future direction of Meru politics.
With the two camps now openly consolidating around separate centres of power, fears are growing that the opposition could eventually field multiple presidential candidates in 2027.
Such an outcome would significantly weaken efforts to mount a united challenge against President William Ruto, who continues to consolidate his political base while his rivals struggle to agree on a common candidate.
For now, opposition leaders continue to publicly project unity. Behind the scenes, however, battle lines appear to have already been drawn.
