A bold gamble by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to seize control of Nairobi's political landscape has triggered a fierce revolt within the United Opposition, placing the coalition's future in jeopardy ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The move, unveiled during a church service, is not merely a political squabble; it's a high-stakes power play that threatens to distract leaders from the urgent economic pressures facing Nairobi residents, from the rising cost of maize flour to the daily struggle for jobs.

Speaking in Kariobangi North, Mr. Gachagua declared that his Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) would exclusively field candidates for Nairobi's most powerful positions—Governor, Senator, and Woman Representative. He further detailed a supposed pact with Kalonzo Musyoka's Wiper party to divide the city's 17 parliamentary and 85 MCA seats between them. “All the votes Ruto got in Nairobi were courtesy of Gachagua — and they have now moved to DCP,” he asserted, claiming his personal influence was the deciding factor in the last election.

Coalition Partners Cry Foul

The reaction from coalition partners was swift and scathing. Leaders from Wiper, Jubilee, and the Democratic Action Party–Kenya (DAP-K) dismissed the proposal as “reckless, exclusionary and politically destabilising.” Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo, a close ally of Mr. Musyoka, flatly contradicted Gachagua's claim, warning that such a move would only lead to a fallout. Wiper has since officially distanced itself from the purported arrangement, emphasizing that the coalition has many partners who must be accommodated.

The public spat exposes deep fissures within the opposition, which has been struggling to present a united front against President William Ruto's administration. Mumias East MP Peter Salasya issued a sharp rebuke, accusing Gachagua of engaging in “petty party-stake politics” instead of focusing on national unity. “What matters to us is how we can unite Kenyans against a regime that is completely lost,” Salasya warned.

A Gamble After By-Election Setbacks

Gachagua's Nairobi-centric strategy is seen by analysts as a pivot following bruising losses in recent by-elections, particularly in his Mt. Kenya backyard of Mbeere North. Having failed to secure a win for his preferred candidate there, Gachagua is attempting to reframe the narrative by declaring Nairobi his new political battleground. This has, however, been interpreted by some as a sign of weakness, not strength.

• The Proposal: DCP to take Governor, Senator, and Woman Rep seats in Nairobi.
• The Alleged Deal: DCP and Wiper to share 16 of 17 MP seats and 75 of 85 MCA seats.
• The Backlash: Key allies reject the plan, denying any formal agreement exists.
• The Context: The move follows the opposition's poor performance in recent by-elections.

For Nairobians, this infighting is a worrying distraction. While politicians jostle for future positions, pressing issues like inadequate housing, traffic congestion, and youth unemployment remain unresolved. The focus on 2027 power dynamics rather than present-day governance risks leaving the city's 4.4 million residents behind.

As political analyst Prof. David Monda noted, the plan could either consolidate the opposition or backfire spectacularly if disgruntled members defect to the government's side. The coming weeks will test whether the opposition can resolve these internal power struggles or if the coalition will fracture, leaving the path clear for the ruling party in 2027.