The opposition could have a stronger chance of unseating President William Ruto in 2027 if it rallies behind a single presidential candidate capable of bringing together major voting blocs, according to KANU spokesperson Tony Gachoka.
Speaking on Radio Generation on Monday, Gachoka argued that Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna currently offered the opposition its strongest option, saying his support in Western Kenya could be combined with the Mount Kenya vote under former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to create a formidable electoral coalition.
He said the political arithmetic had changed significantly since he first proposed a Kalonzo Musyoka-Sifuna ticket in July.
“At that time, they were asking me why are you saying Kalonzo and Sifuna would make a good ticket, and I said it's about the arithmetic,” Gachoka said.
He explained that the Kamba vote, which he estimated at 5%, added to the 26% he attributed to the Kikuyu community, would produce about 31%.
With Sifuna starting from what he described as an 18% base, Gachoka said the numbers became even more favourable if Gachagua backed the senator.
Gachoka said this combination could produce a “tsunami of numbers” capable of defeating Ruto without a run-off.
“If you want William Ruto to go home immediately, if you want no contest… your best presidential candidate would be Edwin Sifuna, backed by Rigathi Gachagua,” he said.
He argued that Gachagua’s efforts to unite the Mount Kenya region were expanding the potential voting bloc available to an opposition ticket, particularly through his “cousins” narrative.
Gachoka also pointed to Sifuna’s political appeal in Western Kenya and Nairobi, saying the senator had demonstrated an ability to attract crowds and energise voters.
“Sifuna is a phenomenon,” he said, citing rallies in Kakamega, Busia, Trans Nzoia and Bungoma as evidence of his growing appeal.
Gachoka went further, formally endorsing Sifuna as a presidential candidate.
“I want to be among the very first people outside Linda Mwananchi to formally endorse Edwin Sifuna,” he said, adding that the senator should no longer be treated as a theoretical candidate.
“I think the frontrunner for president of the country is Edwin Sifuna,” Gachoka said.
His comments come as Gachagua himself signals that he is open to a different role if it strengthens the opposition’s chances.
Speaking to Kenyans in Spokane, Washington, on September 5, Gachagua said he was willing to deputise Sifuna if opposition leaders concluded that the pairing offered the best route to defeating Ruto.
“I’m willing and ready. By the way, there’s no problem. Even I, Riggy G, I can deputise Sifuna. Kwani iko makosa gani?” he said.
Gachagua has maintained that he remains a serious presidential contender but said he would give way if opposition leaders persuaded him that another candidate had a better chance of winning.