Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has cautioned Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna against being prematurely declared the opposition's presidential candidate, insisting that the decision must follow consultations among leaders seeking to challenge President William Ruto in 2027.
Kalonzo delivered the warning on October 30 during the unveiling of Linda Mwananchi's headquarters in Nairobi, where he reminded Sifuna that the opposition had yet to agree on who should carry its presidential flag.
He specifically took issue with Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, whom he accused of jumping ahead of the ongoing negotiations by declaring Sifuna the opposition's preferred candidate.
“My brother Eugene has jumped the gun and declared you a presidential candidate. Let me tell you, legally, because you're a lawyer, you have to wait for the 13th of November,” Kalonzo said.
The Wiper leader was referring to Linda Mwananchi's National Delegates Conference scheduled for November 13, which is expected to shape the movement's leadership and political direction.
His remarks came amid growing calls within the opposition for Sifuna to take a leading role in the efforts to unseat Ruto, with some leaders arguing that the Nairobi Senator has attracted significant support through the Linda Mwananchi movement.
But Kalonzo's intervention suggested that support for Sifuna should not be confused with a formal decision on the coalition's presidential candidate.
The former Vice-President said he was not opposed to Sifuna's presidential ambitions, promising to support him if opposition leaders eventually settled on his candidature.
He, however, made it clear that the process should be reciprocal, indicating that Sifuna and his supporters should also be prepared to back him if he emerged as the coalition's preferred candidate.
The remarks placed Kalonzo at the centre of the debate over how the opposition should select its flag bearer, with several leaders positioning themselves for the 2027 contest.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has also expressed willingness to support Sifuna if opposition leaders agree to give him the presidential ticket.
Gachagua said he was prepared to abandon his own ambitions and even take charge of Sifuna's presidential campaign if the coalition settled on the Nairobi Senator.
The former Deputy President has been pushing for an alliance bringing together leaders from Mount Kenya, Ukambani and Western Kenya, arguing that their combined political support could provide a formidable challenge to Ruto.
Meanwhile, Natembeya and other leaders associated with Linda Mwananchi have continued to promote Sifuna as a possible presidential candidate.
The debate is unfolding against the backdrop of divisions within ODM, where Sifuna has differed with sections of the party leadership over its cooperation with Ruto's administration.
The Nairobi Senator has increasingly aligned himself with leaders opposed to the broad-based government arrangement, using Linda Mwananchi to mobilise supporters around calls for political accountability and changes in government.
Kalonzo's warning therefore highlights a central question facing the opposition: whether to rally behind a candidate already attracting public support or allow negotiations among political leaders to determine who eventually gets the ticket.
