Embakasi North MP James Gakuya. /PARLIAMENT
Embakasi North MP James Gakuya has thrown his weight behind Linda Mwananchi leader Edwin Sifuna for the presidency, urging the United Alternative Government (UAG) coalition to put aside personal ambitions and rally behind the Nairobi Senator if they hope to unseat President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election.
Although Sifuna is not a member of the UAG coalition - the alliance commonly referred to as the united opposition - Gakuya argued that he commands a formidable political base and possesses the charisma and national appeal needed to galvanise support across key voting blocs.
Speaking on TV47 on Tuesday morning, Gakuya said Sifuna's influence extends beyond his own party and should not be ignored in the ongoing discussions over who should carry the opposition's presidential flag.
"Let us all agree that Sifuna is a factor by himself and in any particular exercise of an election, we have a game of numbers. Nobody can stand here and say he has no commanding behind him," Gakuya said.
He argued that despite the split within ODM following the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in October 2025, Sifuna had inherited a significant share of the party's traditional support base.
The once-united ODM split into two factions shortly after Raila's death, with Sifuna leading the Linda Mwananchi faction while Oburu Oginga heads the Linda Ground faction.
"Despite the fact that there's a split between the solid ODM, it also tells you that between the bases that were enjoyed by the late Raila Odinga, most of those bases are inherited by Sifuna, including Nyanza itself," he said.
Gakuya maintained that Sifuna would attract substantial support not only in Nyanza but also at the Coast and in Nairobi, making him a key player in any coalition negotiations.
"Nobody is going to rule out that Sifuna is going to gather numbers in Nyanza as it is. Sifuna will be able to at least command some numbers in Western, Nyanza and even Coast and even Nairobi. He's a candidate who you can't wish away; in terms of negotiations, he has a base to negotiate," he said.
His endorsement comes as the opposition intensifies efforts to settle on a single presidential candidate to challenge Ruto, who is seeking a second and final term in office.
The UAG coalition currently brings together leaders including Wiper boss Kalonzo Musyoka, former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Martha Karua, Eugene Wamalwa and other opposition figures.
Sifuna, however, has remained outside the alliance despite emerging as one of the country's prominent opposition voices in recent history.
Gakuya said the coalition should prioritise electability over individual ambition, even if it means some of its leading figures stepping aside.
"The formula that must arise is a formula to win an election and for a victory, there has to be a lot of sacrifices, even including Matiang'i and even my boss in Central region to sacrifice for Kalonzo to take the mantle. It would be wise for them," he said.
He also floated the idea of the coalition agreeing on a one-term transitional presidency to enhance its chances of defeating Ruto.
"They better put maybe a caveat where they might agree to have what we call a transitional president like Nelson Mandela and they agree for a coalition of one term," he said.
When challenged over the viability of such an arrangement, Gakuya insisted political interests could only be achieved through compromise.
"This is power, and power is interest. They are here because they want to salvage and rescue the nation but the interests in politics are still there that's why there has to be a negotiation.
"The beauty about this fraternity of United Opposition is that they are not in power so the full fish is there so they are party to share. Let them not be greedy in terms of conditions of what we are going to take home. They take the victory first then they can share whatever else in a peaceful manner."
The outspoken MP said that all the leading opposition figures have the capacity to be flagbearers but "capacity does not mean that they can sit on a chair all of them, it has to be one of them".
"If they are for salvaging this country, they must sacrifice themselves."
Gakuya's remarks come barely a day after an Infotrak survey ranked Kalonzo as the opposition's most preferred presidential candidate, underscoring the delicate balancing act facing coalition leaders as they seek consensus ahead of the 2027 race.
The poll placed Kalonzo at 27 per cent, narrowly ahead of Matiang'i at 26 per cent, while Sifuna ranked third with 19 per cent support among opposition supporters.
Gakuya's ally Gachagua followed at 9 per cent, with former Chief Justice David Maraga polling 3 per cent and PLP leader Martha Karua 2 per cent.
George Natembeya, Eugene Wamalwa, Okiya Omtatah and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino each attracted 1 per cent support, while 10 per cent of respondents remained undecided, suggesting the contest for the opposition ticket is still far from settled.
Notably, the survey also lends weight to Gakuya's argument about Sifuna's electoral appeal.
It found that the Nairobi Senator enjoys his strongest support in Western, where he polled 35 per cent, as well as at the Coast and in Nyanza, where he scored 25 per cent in each region.
He was also the most popular among young voters aged between 18 and 26 years, attracting 27 per cent support in that age bracket.
However, the findings also illustrate the magnitude of the task facing the opposition.
In the overall presidential preference ratings, President Ruto maintained a commanding lead with 32 per cent support, well ahead of Kalonzo at 13 per cent.
Sifuna and Matiang'i tied at 12 per cent each, while Gachagua polled 4 per cent, Babu Owino 3 per cent, Maraga 2 per cent and Karua 1 per cent.
The poll suggests that while the race for the opposition's flag bearer remains wide open, whoever eventually emerges will still have to unite a fragmented opposition and significantly broaden their support to overcome an incumbent who retains a clear advantage in the battle for State House.
