Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) Deputy Leader Cleophas Malala has expressed support for Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s political ambitions, saying the ODM Secretary-General would make an effective deputy president in a united opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking during an interview on Spice FM, Malala maintained that his party leader, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, remains DCP’s preferred presidential candidate, but argued that Sifuna would be well suited for the country’s second-highest office.
“The most convenient position for Edwin Sifuna is the deputy president. I was saying that knowing that my party leader is running for presidency. That is why I said Edwin Sifuna can be a very good deputy president,” Malala stated.
He dismissed suggestions that supporting Sifuna could conflict with his loyalty to Gachagua and DCP, insisting that the opposition’s chances of winning power depend on unity and coalition-building.
“We exist within the precincts of a united opposition. We know very well that in Kenya where we are right now, one person cannot go all the way in an election and be a formidable force,” he said.
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Malala emphasized that the opposition is made up of multiple political parties working together and could eventually adopt a coalition party model similar to the National Rainbow Coalition (NARC), which won the 2002 presidential election.
“There’s a difference between a coalition party and a coalition of parties. Kenya Kwanza is a coalition of parties. NARC in 2002 was a coalition party,” he explained.
According to Malala, opposition leaders will eventually negotiate and agree on a single presidential flag bearer capable of uniting the coalition and challenging for power in 2027.
“We can only have one leader at a time. We will go to the negotiating table and the person we will settle on as the most preferred presidential candidate as a united opposition front, we will all support him,” he said.
The former Kakamega Senator added that if Sifuna emerges as the opposition’s preferred presidential candidate, he would fully support him. He also said he would welcome Sifuna serving as deputy president if that is the role agreed upon by coalition partners.
“I’ll be backing my brother, Edwin Sifuna. If he’s given the opportunity to fly our presidential flag, we will be happy. And if he sits down, we will be happy if he’s given the opportunity to be the deputy,” he stated.
Malala further cited regional and community solidarity as part of his support for the Nairobi Senator, referencing a political philosophy often associated with Gachagua.
“My party leader, Rigathi Gachagua, is the father of all the syllabus that says charity begins at home. And therefore, I will not be doing any mistake for me to rally behind my brother, Edwin Sifuna,” he concluded.
His remarks are likely to fuel debate within opposition circles as political parties continue positioning themselves and exploring coalition arrangements ahead of the 2027 General Election.
