On Thursday, October 22, national dailies widely reported on the coalition talks between former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua and Linda Mwananchi's leader, Edwin Sifuna.
Source: UGC
The papers also reported on President William Ruto's recent 10-day tour of his North Rift political backyard ahead of the 2027 election.
1. Daily Nation
President William Ruto's 10-day tour of his North Rift political backyard has exposed simmering rivalries within his United Democratic Alliance (UDA), with competing camps scrambling for his influence ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The tour, which combined development project launches with Mashujaa Day celebrations, offered a glimpse into succession battles taking shape across the region as aspirants seeking to replace incumbent governors and other elected leaders mobilise support and position themselves for party nominations.
The divisions pose a challenge for UDA, which enjoys overwhelming support in much of the North Rift but faces the task of managing competing ambitions within its ranks. With party primaries likely to determine many aspirants' political fortunes, the scramble for the UDA ticket has become a contest for both local influence and President Ruto's endorsement.
From Uasin Gishu, where Governor Jonathan Bii Chelilim and Senator Jackson Mandago back rival political networks, to West Pokot, where two camps are battling for influence ahead of the gubernatorial race, the competition has spilled into public exchanges over loyalty performance and control of local political structures.
In Uasin Gishu, the rivalry pits a camp associated with Mandago against that of Governor Bii, with both sides assembling influential allies ahead of the 2027 contest. Mandago's camp includes Prin- cipal Secretary for Tourism Julius Bitok, who is making a third attempt at the governorship, and Soy MP David Kiplagat and Kesses MP Isaac Rutto. The governor's network is associated with Kapseret.
MP Oscar Sudi and his allies. The contest extends beyond 2027, with political networks positioning themselves for influence after Ruto's presidency.
2. People Daily
Two competing opposition ticket arrangements involving Nairobi senator Edwin Sifuna have emerged as the 2027 General Election contest takes shape, with both coalitions positioning themselves to unseat President William Ruto.
According to a People Daily, political discussions within the opposition have crystallised around two potential pairings.
The first places Sifuna alongside Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, with Sifuna at the top of the ticket. Supporters of this arrangement argue it would resonate with voters seeking generational change in Kenya's leadership.
Sifuna has already been linked to presidential ambitions through his association with the Linda Mwananchi movement, with allies urging that his candidacy be taken seriously.
The second possible ticket places Kalonzo ahead of the Nairobi senator. Insiders supporting the Kalonzo- Sifuna arrangement are of the opinion that it offers the opposition a combination of political experience and generational appeal.
Kalonzo, who has sought the presidency in previous elections and served as Raila Odinga's running mate in 2013 and 2017, brings decades of experience in national politics, and an established support base in Ukambani.
"We want a Kalonzo moment, like the Mwai Kibaki moment of 2002, where we are going to put this country back to the growth path," Machakos Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi says.
The emergence of the Ukombozi Alliance, which seeks to provide a political vehicle for opposition cooperation, has also given Kalonzo a platform from which to pursue his ambitions, although Gachagua allies and sections of the Linda Mwananchi movement have resisted the push to join the group.
His recent meeting with former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua has been interpreted as a move to demonstrate that his political reach goes beyond his traditional support base, potentially broadening his appeal to Mt Kenya voters.
Gachagua, who has cultivated strong political influence in the Mt Kenya region, is reported to have expressed willingness to serve as Sifuna's running mate, though an impeachment case against him remains unresolved.
The emergence of the Sifuna-Gachagua discussions alongside the Sifuna-Kalonzo talks has introduced a fresh layer of complexity to opposition negotiations.
3. The Standard
Source: TUKO.co.ke