The Equitable Party launch: Pauline Njoroge warns Sifuna’s presidential rivals to be careful

KANU Party spokesman Tony Gachoka has called on the Wiper Patriotic Front to support Senator Edwin Sifuna's presidential campaign in preparation for the 2027 General Election. In a message posted to social media on Sunday, Gachoka encouraged the Wiper Front to join forces with other opposition parties to create a united political force that could defeat current President William Ruto in the first round.

Gachoka wrote that he hoped "Wiper will join all of us in the Sifuna Presidency so we form a team that will remove Ruto in round one." The KANU spokesman's suggestion brings Sifuna to the forefront of a growing strategy aimed at uniting parties that have previously operated separately but share opposition to the Ruto administration.

Gachoka specifically addressed Wiper Patriotic Front spokesman Ndegwa Njiru, signaling his desire to have the Wiper party consider joining the coalition being assembled around Sifuna. As opposition leaders increasingly advocate for a single presidential candidate to avoid dividing the anti-government vote, Gachoka's call comes amid increased discussions among parties about potential cooperation before the campaigns ramp up.

Sifuna has been a significant figure in the opposition's 2027 strategy discussions since his fallout with his Orange Democratic Movement party (ODM) and the emergence of his own Linda Mwananchi Movement. While support for Sifuna's presidential bid has grown, the question of who should lead a united ticket remains unresolved. Gachoka believes rallying Wiper behind Sifuna would bring the opposition closer to the numbers needed to challenge the Kenya Kwanza administration.

Njiru, who has previously emphasized the importance of parties carefully selecting a joint presidential candidate, has brought Gachoka's message to the spotlight as negotiations over a possible joint ticket intensify. With President Ruto expected to seek re-election, opposition parties face pressure to establish a strategy that consolidates their respective voter bases.

Gachoka's appeal to Wiper may be interpreted as a push for a Sifuna-Kalonzo Musyoka pact, where Sifuna would be the opposition coalition's presidential candidate and Kalonzo Musyoka from Wiper would serve as the running mate. In Gachoka's statement, however, he did not explicitly mention Kalonzo as Sifuna's potential running mate.