Gachagua said Malala was expressing his personal opinion and lacked the authority to announce the party’s position on its preferred presidential candidate. He maintained that only the party leader or secretary general could officially communicate DCP’s position on such matters.
“First and foremost, the deputy party leader Cleophas Malala is not the spokesman of DCP. The spokesman of the DCP is the secretary general or the party leader. So, that is not the party position. That is his personal opinion and he is allowed, by the way,” Gachagua said.
His remarks come amid growing discussions about possible opposition alliances and the political arrangements that could shape the presidential contest ahead of the 2027 elections.
Gachagua Explains Malala’s Support for Sifuna
Gachagua suggested that Malala’s remarks reflected the political sentiments of people in Western Kenya, where Sifuna has a significant political following.
“When he is speaking in Western, he is speaking what the people of Western would want to hear, and he is a good politician. So, the people of Western Kenya naturally would want Sifuna to be the flag bearer,” Gachagua said.
The former deputy president acknowledged that Malala had been lobbying him to support Sifuna’s presidential ambitions, adding that the deputy party leader was entitled to advocate for his preferred candidate.
“He would want to persuade Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka and persuade me to support Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna. It is within his right. By the way, there is nothing wrong. In fact, he has tried to persuade me. That is true. I give it to him. He has tried to persuade me. He is still persuading me,” Gachagua said.
He added that he had advised Malala to make it clear when he was expressing a personal preference rather than announcing an official party decision.
Gachagua’s comments indicate that discussions about Sifuna’s possible presidential candidacy remain part of wider opposition lobbying efforts, rather than a formally announced DCP endorsement.
DCP Yet to Declare Preferred Presidential Candidate
Gachagua reiterated that DCP had not officially endorsed Sifuna, cautioning against interpreting Malala’s comments as the party’s final position.
“He doesn’t speak for the party. The party spokesman is either the party leader or the secretary general. That is not the official party position, and I cannot persuade Kalonzo to support Sifuna,” he said.
The remarks leave open the question of which candidate DCP might eventually support or field in the 2027 presidential election. They also highlight the distinction between individual leaders advocating for particular candidates and formal decisions made by political parties.
Gachagua said politicians should be free to lobby one another and promote their preferred candidates as opposition figures consider possible partnerships ahead of the next election.
“Sifuna himself should persuade Kalonzo. Kalonzo should persuade Sifuna and everybody should persuade each other. And all of us, people can lobby for you,” he said.
He further revealed that members of his own political camp were also lobbying Sifuna and Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka to support his political ambitions.
Opposition Alliances Remain Under Discussion
The exchange reflects ongoing political realignments among opposition leaders as they consider how to approach the 2027 General Election.
Sifuna, Gachagua and Kalonzo are among the prominent figures featuring in conversations about opposition cooperation, although Gachagua’s latest remarks do not establish a formal agreement between their political camps.
Malala’s advocacy for Sifuna illustrates how individual leaders can promote potential presidential candidates while negotiations over party positions and possible alliances remain unsettled.
For now, Gachagua has drawn a clear distinction between Malala’s personal preference and DCP’s official position, maintaining that the party has not declared Sifuna its preferred presidential candidate.
Any eventual endorsement or coalition arrangement will depend on decisions formally made by the parties and leaders involved as the 2027 elections approach.
