The opposition parties in Kenya are taking a cautious approach to forming a joint presidential ticket for the 2027 General Election. According to Peter Mbae, Secretary for Planning and Economic Affairs of the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), there is no reason for the parties to rush into an early agreement when coalition-building is still taking shape. Mbae made these remarks during an interview with Radio Generation on September 23, 2026.
Mbae stated that the opposition parties will first go through their respective internal processes before beginning serious discussions on how to form a joint ticket. He mentioned that the earliest possible time for the opposition to agree on and announce a joint presidential candidate would be January 2027. This stance rejects calls for the various principals to move quickly and settle on one candidate. The opposition parties are expected to focus on building their individual bases before entering into coalition negotiations.
The DCP Secretary emphasized that the coalition-building process should not be limited to an agreement among a few leaders. He suggested that more political parties should be allowed to develop and take part in negotiations, saying the process should be inclusive. Mbae also stated that the eventual presidential candidate and running mate should be determined by the choices and preferences of voters, rather than being decided entirely through negotiations between party leaders.
Several opposition leaders are positioning themselves for the 2027 presidential contest. Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna is expected to formally launch his political vehicle in October, with his allies positioning him as the presidential candidate of the emerging Linda Mwananchi movement. Meanwhile, the DCP plans to hold its National Delegates Congress in November, where former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is expected to be endorsed as the party's presidential candidate.
According to Mbae, the more serious phase of coalition negotiations is expected to start around January, after the parties have completed their respective activities. He mentioned that people will begin taking serious discussions around January, and the party will announce its lineup as the days go by. Mbae also sought to lower expectations of an announcement before the end of the year, particularly among those expecting the opposition to unveil its candidate in November or December.
Mbae's comments reflect the current state of opposition politics in Kenya, with various parties jockeying for position ahead of the 2027 election. The opposition parties are taking a measured approach to forming a joint ticket, prioritizing their individual internal processes and coalition-building efforts. This approach is expected to lead to a more inclusive and representative opposition lineup for the 2027 General Election.
The delay in announcing a joint presidential pick is not seen as a setback by the opposition parties. Instead, they believe that taking the time to build their bases and engage in meaningful coalition negotiations will lead to a stronger and more effective opposition in the 2027 election. With several key players positioning themselves for the contest, the opposition landscape in Kenya is set to take shape in the coming months.
Key points
- The opposition parties in Kenya are unlikely to announce a joint presidential ticket before January 2027.
- The Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) believes that more time is needed to build the parties' bases before entering formal coalition negotiations.
- The eventual presidential candidate and running mate will be determined by the choices and preferences of voters, rather than being decided entirely through negotiations between party leaders.
