Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has distanced the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) from claims that it has endorsed Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna for the 2027 presidential election, setting the record straight on his deputy Cleophas Malala’s controversial declaration.

Gachagua made the clarification during a television interview on Wednesday, October 28, after Malala announced that DCP had settled on Sifuna as its preferred presidential candidate and would seek the support of other opposition leaders.

According to People Daily, Gachagua maintained that Malala was expressing his personal political opinion rather than communicating an official party position. He insisted that the party had not formally endorsed Sifuna and urged his deputy to distinguish between personal preferences and official announcements.

Gachagua also compared Malala to President William Ruto, accusing him of tailoring his political messaging to appeal to voters in Western Kenya.

The former deputy president suggested that Malala was supporting Sifuna partly because the Nairobi senator comes from the region and could attract support from voters who would prefer one of their own to lead the opposition into the 2027 election.

Despite the criticism, Gachagua acknowledged Malala’s political abilities and his role as a younger leader whom he mentors. He also indicated that there was nothing inherently wrong with Malala lobbying for his preferred presidential candidate.

The Standard, in its October 28 report, also confirmed that Gachagua had rejected claims of an official DCP endorsement. The publication reported that Malala had been lobbying Gachagua and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka to support Sifuna, even as opposition leaders continued consultations over who should challenge President Ruto.

The disagreement emerged after Malala announced on October 25 that he and Gachagua had agreed to support Sifuna’s presidential ambitions. He also indicated that they intended to approach Kalonzo to persuade him to join the initiative.

However, Malala’s declaration appeared to suggest that a decision had already been reached, despite continuing negotiations among opposition leaders.

In a separate report, The Star revealed that opposition leaders had yet to agree on a presidential flag bearer, despite high-level meetings at Gachagua’s Wamunyoro residence in Nyeri County. The publication reported that both Sifuna and Kalonzo had held discussions with Gachagua as consultations over the opposition’s 2027 presidential ticket continued.

The report further indicated that Malala’s announcement had complicated the negotiations, with questions emerging over whether the DCP deputy leader had prematurely presented a proposal as an agreed party position.

Meanwhile, The Eastleigh Voice reported on October 28 that Gachagua had dismissed claims that DCP had settled on Sifuna as its preferred presidential candidate. The publication noted that Gachagua regarded Malala’s declaration as a personal opinion, although the deputy leader remained free to lobby for the senator.

The disagreement comes as opposition leaders explore ways to build a united political front ahead of the August 2027 General Election.

Citizen Digital reported on October 20 that Gachagua, Sifuna and Kalonzo had emerged as potential contenders for the opposition’s presidential ticket following political consultations at Wamunyoro. The discussions reportedly explored cooperation between DCP and the Linda Mwananchi movement, while the final choice of a presidential candidate remained unresolved.

The report highlighted the delicate negotiations facing opposition leaders as they seek a candidate capable of mounting a serious challenge to Ruto.

Malala’s announcement therefore appears to have exposed differences over both the choice of candidate and the process through which the opposition should reach a final decision.

For Gachagua, the immediate concern is that statements by individual party officials should not be mistaken for decisions reached by the party leadership.

With Sifuna attracting growing attention within opposition politics, the question remains whether DCP will eventually support his presidential ambitions or back another candidate as negotiations over the 2027 race continue.