Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has claimed the opposition has “locked” Nairobi ahead of the 2027 General Election, saying an alliance involving him, Kalonzo Musyoka, Edwin Sifuna and Babu Owino could secure up to 2.5 million votes in the capital.
Addressing Kenyans in the United States on Sunday, Gachagua said the opposition’s growing activities in Nairobi over the weekend demonstrated its strength in the city, which has about 2.7 million registered voters.
“Nairobi is locked. We’ll be able to get 2.5 million votes,” he said.
The DCP leader claimed the projected support would leave President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) without a seat in Nairobi.
“William Ruto himself, UDA and ODM will not get a single seat in the city of Nairobi,” he claimed.
Gachagua was commenting on political activities held in Nairobi on Sunday, where opposition leaders and their supporters staged rallies and processions as parties and alliances position themselves ahead of next year’s elections.
He praised the turnout during a Linda Mwananchi rally led by Sifuna, Babu Owino and Siaya Governor James Orengo, saying thousands of people joined the procession through parts of the capital before the leaders addressed supporters at Jacaranda grounds.
“The team of Edwin Sifuna, Babu, James Orengo, and other young leaders had a successful service at St Stephen’s Cathedral, which again had been attacked by goons, and those goons have not been arrested,” Gachagua said.
“Walking with hundreds and thousands of people, chanting one town all the way to Jacaranda, and they had one of the biggest stories ever done in the city of Nairobi,” he added.
Gachagua also cited parallel activities by DCP leaders outside Nairobi, saying the party’s brigade led by John Methu was in Murang’a, where it addressed thousands of supporters.
The remarks come as opposition leaders seek to consolidate around a single presidential candidate to challenge Ruto in 2027.
During Sunday’s Linda Mwananchi rally, the leaders reiterated their commitment to fielding one opposition presidential candidate with Siaya Governor James Orengo pledging to hold talks with Sifuna to resolve their competing ambitions.
“Sifuna is my son. I want to announce that Sifuna and I will sit together at the negotiation table to ensure that we liberate Kenya,” he said.
Sifuna said he would also engage Gachagua, Kalonzo and Orengo in negotiations to produce a single candidate, while Babu said he had stepped aside from the presidential race and backed Sifuna, although he defended Orengo’s right to contest.
The rally also saw leaders including Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya and Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi openly endorse Sifuna for the presidency.