Edwin Sifuna has reportedly been offered the opposition presidential ticket, while Babu Owino has been asked to reconsider his Nairobi gubernatorial ambitions, laying bare the competing political interests emerging from Tuesday’s meeting at Rigathi Gachagua’s Wamunyoro residence.
Multiple sources familiar with the discussions say Gachagua told the Linda Mwananchi Movement delegation that his Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) was prepared to offer Sifuna the Deputy President’s slot in an arrangement that would see the Nairobi senator become the presidential candidate.
But the reported offer came with a difficult political calculation for Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, who has declared his intention to contest the Nairobi governorship through The Mwananchi Party.
Gachagua has already pledged to support DCP’s James Gakuya for the same seat, setting up a potential clash between the party’s interests and Owino’s ambitions.
Sifuna attended the Wamunyoro meeting alongside Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, former Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya and Owino.
According to multiple sources, Gachagua indicated that DCP was willing to support Sifuna for the presidency, with the party taking the running-mate position.
However, the proposal comes amid resistance from some Linda Mwananchi figures who stayed away from Wamunyoro, including Siaya Governor James Orengo, Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka, Kisii MP Anthony Kibagendi and allies of former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i.
Some of the leaders are reportedly uncomfortable with Gachagua’s political style, his impeachment as Deputy President and his approach to ethnic politics.
Multiple sources say during the meeting, Gachagua told the Embakasi East MP to consider the Senate seat if he expected DCP support.
The reported position reflects Gachagua’s existing commitment to back James Gakuya, the DCP candidate for Nairobi governor, rather than Owino.
That leaves Owino facing a choice between pursuing the county’s top executive position under his own party and exploring an alternative electoral path that could accommodate DCP’s interests.
A Senate bid would offer a different platform, but it would require Owino to reconsider an ambition he has already declared publicly.
