NAIROBI — In a political twist that has sent shockwaves through the nascent United Opposition coalition, lawyer Ndegwa Njiru—the man who fiercely defended former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua during his historic impeachment trial—has declared he will not support his former client for the presidency in 2027.

Speaking during a candid interview on Obina TV on Monday night, Njiru threw his weight behind Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka. The declaration marks a significant escalation in the supremacy battle currently tearing at the seams of the opposition, pitting the "Mountain" against the "Lower Eastern" blocs.

"I don't support Riggy G, I support the Opposition," Njiru stated bluntly, using the former DP’s popular moniker. "The United Opposition is not about an individual... I am a member of the Wiper Patriotic Front."

The Rift in the United Opposition

Njiru’s pivot is more than just a personal preference; it is a symptom of the widening chasm between the coalition's two titans. For months, the United Opposition has presented a fragile front against President William Ruto’s administration, but internal jostling has now spilled into the open.

At the heart of the conflict is the control of the 2027 ticket. Gachagua, now leading the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), has been aggressively positioning himself as the de facto leader of the Mt. Kenya region and the natural flagbearer. However, Njiru’s defection to the Kalonzo camp signals that Gachagua’s hold on his own legal and strategic inner circle may be slipping.

• The Trigger: Tensions flared earlier this week when Gachagua claimed DCP had secured a deal to field all opposition candidates in Nairobi for 2027.
• The Rebuttal: Kalonzo Musyoka’s camp immediately denied the deal, calling the remarks "divisive."
• The Stake: Control over Nairobi’s billions in business interests and millions of votes is crucial for any serious presidential bid.

A Question of Ideals

During the interview, Njiru attempted to frame his decision not as a betrayal of the man he defended, but as a realignment with "ideals." He emphasized that his loyalty lies with the rule of law and constitutionalism—virtues he claims are best embodied by Kalonzo Musyoka.

"I will vote for any person who the United Opposition will front, as long as that person adheres to our ideals," Njiru noted, before clarifying his preference for the Wiper leader. This nuance is critical for the Kenyan voter, who is often asked to choose between personalities rather than policies.

For the average Kenyan struggling with the cost of living, a divided opposition offers little hope of a robust check on the government. Analysts warn that if the DCP and Wiper factions cannot reconcile, the resulting fragmentation will hand President Ruto an easy path to re-election, leaving the opposition's promises of economic reform as mere rhetoric.

From Defender to Detractor

The irony of Njiru’s stance is palpable. In late 2024, he was part of the legal "arsenal" that fought tooth and nail in the Senate to save Gachagua’s career, famously characterizing the impeachment as a political witch-hunt. Now, he stands across the political aisle from the man he once shielded.

Njiru, however, saved his harshest words for the current administration. Turning to the camera, he addressed the Head of State directly: "Mr. William Ruto... If you could do Kenyans a favor and resign and go home, you would have done this country a great service."

As the 2027 cycle heats up early, the question remains: Can the United Opposition survive its own captains, or will the Gachagua-Kalonzo split gift the presidency to the incumbent on a silver platter?