A fresh political storm has erupted within Kenya's opposition after Kitutu Chache South MP Anthony Kibagendi accused former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of demanding a 50 per cent share of government during negotiations with leaders associated with the Linda Mwananchi movement.

The allegation has intensified questions about power-sharing, political influence and the possibility of maintaining a united opposition ahead of the August 10, 2027 General Election.

According to People Daily's November 2 report titled MP Kibagendi: Gachagua demanded 50% share of govt during meeting with Sifuna, Kibagendi claimed the former Deputy President made the demand during a meeting at his Wamunyoro residence in Nyeri County.

The meeting reportedly brought together Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and other political figures associated with the Linda Mwananchi movement.

Kibagendi, who is considered a close political ally of Sifuna, questioned Gachagua's authority to determine how the broader opposition should negotiate power-sharing arrangements.

In a statement shared on social media on Monday, November 2, the legislator accused Gachagua of attempting to dominate opposition negotiations and position himself as the central figure in discussions about the country's political future.

Nairobi Wire independently highlighted the allegations in its November 3 report titled Who Does He Think He Is? Kibagendi Questions Gachagua's Power-Sharing Demand.

The publication also reported that Kibagendi was concerned about what he viewed as attempts by Gachagua to dictate terms to other opposition leaders instead of promoting an arrangement based on mutual respect.

The lawmaker further accused the former Deputy President of attempting to sideline influential political figures with independent support bases.

Among those he mentioned were former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i, former Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya, former Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza and Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro.

Kibagendi also challenged Gachagua's position following the latter's recent interview on Inooro FM, particularly suggestions about forming a government involving himself, Sifuna and Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka.

The legislator maintained that opposition unity should not revolve around a few individuals seeking political positions. Instead, he argued that cooperation should accommodate different political interests and personalities working towards a common objective.

The disagreement comes against the backdrop of an October 20 meeting between Gachagua and Sifuna at Wamunyoro, which had initially raised hopes of closer cooperation between their respective political camps.

Capital FM, in its November 3 report titled Gachagua holds talks with Ngilu at Wamunyoro over possible 2027 coalition, reported that Gachagua had hosted Sifuna and a delegation of Linda Mwananchi leaders at the Nyeri residence on October 20.

The meeting reportedly resulted in an understanding to pursue political cooperation and work towards presenting a joint presidential candidate against President William Ruto in 2027.

However, the opposition has yet to settle several important questions, including its formal coalition structure, presidential candidate selection and the formula for sharing government positions should it win the election.

These unresolved issues have increasingly exposed the difficulties facing opposition leaders as they attempt to build a political alliance capable of challenging the ruling administration.

Meanwhile, Gachagua has defended his political approach amid growing accusations of bullying, intimidation and attempts to undermine fellow opposition leaders.

KBC Digital, in its November 4 coverage titled Gachagua defends political style, urges opposition to intensify campaigns, reported that the former Deputy President rejected suggestions that his public statements were intended to intimidate or undermine other leaders.

Gachagua maintained that some opposition figures were uncomfortable with his willingness to openly address weaknesses within their political arrangements.

He also called on opposition leaders to move beyond meetings in hotels, boardrooms and press conferences and intensify grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections.

His remarks came as questions continued to emerge over who should lead the opposition presidential ticket.

Citizen Digital previously reported that Gachagua had expressed willingness to deputise Sifuna if political calculations established that the Nairobi senator was the strongest candidate to challenge President Ruto.

The publication, in its report titled No problem deputising Sifuna, or him deputising me, Gachagua says as he floats 2027 ticket formula, highlighted Gachagua's openness to different leadership arrangements within the opposition.

The former Deputy President also indicated that Sifuna could deputise him, while other possible combinations involving Kalonzo Musyoka remained open for consideration.

The Standard reinforced the development in its report titled Gachagua says he is ready to deputise Sifuna in 2027, highlighting his willingness to accept a running mate position if political negotiations and electoral calculations favoured the Nairobi senator.

The developments suggest that despite public disagreements, Gachagua has not completely ruled out a leadership arrangement that places Sifuna in a senior position within the opposition.

Sifuna has also maintained his willingness to cooperate with Gachagua despite previously supporting his impeachment when he served as Deputy President.

In another report, Citizen Digital highlighted Sifuna's position that the Linda Mwananchi movement was prepared to work with political leaders who supported constitutionalism, the rule of law and efforts to challenge President Ruto's administration.

The Nairobi senator maintained that his previous position on Gachagua's impeachment was based on the circumstances surrounding the former Deputy President's conduct while in office.

His latest position suggests that past political disagreements may not necessarily prevent cooperation ahead of the next General Election.

Gachagua has also sought to reassure Kenyans that the opposition will eventually agree on one presidential candidate, despite the disagreements currently emerging among its leading figures.

On November 4, Citizen Digital further reported that the former Deputy President had warned opposition presidential hopefuls against assuming that the presidential ticket would automatically be awarded to them.

He maintained that candidates would have to demonstrate their political strength through grassroots mobilisation rather than relying on meetings and media appearances.

However, the growing disagreements over power-sharing, leadership positions and the presidential ticket could complicate efforts to establish a united opposition.

For Sifuna and Gachagua, the challenge will be finding common ground without alienating other influential political figures whose support could prove important in the 2027 contest.

The latest allegations have therefore introduced another difficult question into opposition politics: whether the emerging alliance can survive disagreements over political influence and government positions before it even faces President Ruto at the ballot.