Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has signalled his willingness to work with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua despite previously supporting the parliamentary process that led to Gachagua’s impeachment.
The latest position highlights the rapidly shifting political alliances ahead of Kenya’s 2027 General Election, as opposition figures increasingly explore partnerships aimed at challenging President William Ruto.
Sifuna has acknowledged the difficult history between him and Gachagua, including his role in the impeachment process. However, he has now suggested that political differences from the past should not prevent leaders from working together if they share a common objective.
In May, Sifuna appealed to Gachagua to forgive him and other leaders who supported his removal from office. He argued that political leaders opposed to Ruto needed to put their differences aside and concentrate on building a united political force.
“Whatever needs to be done, even if it means forgiving each other, let it be done,” Sifuna said, making the case for cooperation among opposition leaders.
The senator’s remarks have added another dimension to Kenya’s increasingly fluid political landscape. For months, the opposition has struggled with questions over who should lead a possible coalition against Ruto in the 2027 election.
Sifuna has increasingly advocated for a united opposition, arguing that multiple candidates could divide the anti-government vote and make it easier for the incumbent to retain power.
In May, he called for a political arrangement that would result in a two-horse presidential contest, with one candidate facing Ruto.
His willingness to work with Gachagua is particularly significant because of their previous political confrontation. During the impeachment debate, Sifuna was among those who supported the process against the former Deputy President.
At the time, Sifuna was also critical of Gachagua’s political ambitions. In July 2025, he argued that Gachagua remained impeached and questioned the possibility of the former Deputy President contesting for political office.
The political landscape, however, has changed considerably since then.
Gachagua has emerged as one of the prominent figures in efforts to consolidate opposition forces ahead of the next election. He has also expressed willingness to work with Sifuna and his political team.
In May, Gachagua said he was ready to work with Sifuna and the Linda Mwananchi team, signalling that previous political disagreements might not stand in the way of a broader alliance.
The possibility of cooperation comes as Sifuna himself undergoes a major political transition. According to the Kenya News Agency, he recently signalled that he was considering leaving the Orange Democratic Movement and searching for a new political vehicle to support his 2027 presidential ambitions.
That development could further reshape relationships between Sifuna, Gachagua and other opposition figures.
For Sifuna, working with Gachagua appears to be less about past political disagreements and more about the broader objective of creating a formidable alternative to the Kenya Kwanza administration.
However, any alliance between the two would likely attract scrutiny. Their history, ideological differences and competing political ambitions could present challenges to a lasting partnership.
Gachagua’s supporters may also question Sifuna’s previous role in the impeachment process, while some of Sifuna’s supporters could resist an alliance with a politician he once strongly opposed.
Despite these challenges, the emerging political calculations suggest that Kenya’s 2027 contest could be shaped as much by unexpected alliances as by traditional party loyalties.
With the election still ahead, Sifuna’s willingness to work with Gachagua demonstrates how quickly political rivalries can give way to cooperation when leaders seek a common electoral objective.
Whether the two politicians can turn their newfound willingness to cooperate into a durable political partnership remains one of the questions likely to dominate Kenya’s opposition politics as the country moves closer to 2027.