{
  "id": 346622,
  "title": "Malala: Gachagua is ready to support Sifuna’s presidential ambitions",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/malala-gachagua-is-ready-to-support-sifunas-presidential-ambitions",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-09T05:01:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "People Daily Kenya",
    "slug": "people-daily-kenya",
    "url": "https://peopledaily.digital/inside-politics/malala-gachagua-is-ready-to-support-sifunas-presidential-ambitions"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala has declared that Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is prepared to back Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna's presidential aspirations. During a rally in Kakamega on Saturday, Malala addressed a crowd rallying behind a single term for President William Ruto. Interrogating the audience, Malala queried, \"Mimi mnajua vizuri sana. Mimi ni Deputy Party Leader wa Riggy G. Mnajua hamjui?\" Upon hearing the affirmative response, Malala continued, \"Niko na taarifa. Nitoboe isitoboe?\" The crowd vehemently agreed, shouting, \"Toboa!\" Malala emphatically stated, \"Leo ni mwecheche. Ni mwecheche. Mheshimiwa Rigathi Gachagua amenituma, amesema ako tayari kuunga mkono Edwin Sifuna awe Rais wa Jamhuri ya Kenya.\" This announcement arrives as speculation intensifies regarding potential shifts in the political landscape ahead of the 2027 General Election, with several opposition leaders engaging in discussions across various regions. Concurrently, Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi announced a major political summit in Kakamega on December 26, 2026, to endorse Sifuna, criticizing the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and addressing former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya. Osotsi emphasized, \"Mkutano ya ukweli, mkutano kubwa ya kutawaza Sifuna itafanyika hapa Kakamega,\" linking the event to a previous announcement by COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli.",
  "summary": "Former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala has claimed that former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is ready to support Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna for the presidency. Speaking during a Linda Mwananchi rally in Kakamega on Saturday, August 8, 2026, Malala made the announcement while addressing a cheering crowd advocating for a one term leadership of President William […]",
  "key_points": [
    "Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua ready to support Edwin Sifuna's presidential bid.",
    "Cleophas Malala declared Gachagua's support during Kakamega rally.",
    "Political summit planned in Kakamega on Dec 26, 2026 to endorse Sifuna."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": "https://urgent.news/ill/346622.png",
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "People Daily Kenya",
        "title": "Malala vows to stand with Sifuna in 2027 presidential contest",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/malala-vows-to-stand-with-sifuna-in-2027-presidential-contest",
        "published": "2026-08-09T13:21:34.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}