NYERI, Kenya — Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has explained why he reached out to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to resolve their political differences, saying the need to unite against President William Ruto ahead of the 2027 General Election outweighed their personal disagreements.
Speaking on Saturday, November 14, 2026, during the burial of Gachagua’s sister, Eunice Nyangari, in Nyeri County, Sifuna said he had come to view President Ruto as an existential threat to the country, prompting him to seek cooperation with leaders opposed to the Head of State.
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) secretary-general said he personally approached Gachagua because he believed opposition leaders needed to put aside their differences and work towards a common political objective.
Sifuna, who referred to Ruto as “Kasongo”, said he had committed himself to doing whatever it takes to defeat the President in the 2027 elections.
“Niliamka siku moja na nikaigundua kwamba huyu jamaa anaitwa Kasongo. He is an existential threat to this country. And I committed to do whatever it takes kuhakikisha kwamba 2027 tunamtuma nyumbani. Na ndio maana nilienda kumtafuta huyu mheshimiwa Rigathi Gachagua,” Sifuna said.
He explained that he sought an honest conversation with Gachagua to address their past disagreements rather than allow personal differences to undermine their shared political ambitions.
The Senator compared the reconciliation to a traditional practice in his community, where men who have fallen out sit together under a tree, acknowledge their mistakes and agree to move forward.
He said he urged Gachagua to recognise that both had made mistakes, forgive each other and focus on the political contest ahead.
“Vita ambayo iko mbele inatuhitaji sisi sote, kwa hivyo lazima tusamehane na tuweze kutembea pamoja,” he added.
Sifuna said their recent public appearances together reflected a broader political mission aimed at bringing opposition leaders together against Ruto’s administration.
Gachagua hosts Sifuna at Wamunyoro
The reconciliation followed a meeting between Gachagua and Sifuna, alongside leaders associated with the Linda Mwananchi movement, at the former Deputy President’s Wamunyoro residence in Nyeri County on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.
The meeting took place after Gachagua returned from the United States and came amid growing calls for opposition unity ahead of the 2027 General Election.
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In a statement shared on his X account, the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader described the engagement as a candid discussion about Kenya’s political future and the formation of a new administration.
“Upon my return from the United States, I welcomed the Linda Mwananchi leadership, led by Senator Edwin Sifuna, to the Wamunyoro residence,” Gachagua stated.
He said the discussions focused on political change and the direction of the country.
“We held a candid and constructive discussion on the liberation of our country and the formation of the Sixth Administration,” he added.
The meeting marked a notable moment in the political engagement between the two leaders, whose cooperation has since become part of wider efforts to bring together figures opposed to Ruto’s re-election bid.
