By Bonface Mulyungi

Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) Secretary for Planning and Economic Affairs, Peter Mbae, has announced that the opposition coalition in Kenya will take longer to announce its presidential candidate, suggesting an extended period of political manoeuvring and consultations until May 2027.

In an interview with K24 on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, Mbae stressed that all eligible leaders will have the chance to participate and agree on who will run for president. He said that there would be no coalition announcement soon, as the process will continue into next year.

“Let all qualified candidates sit at the table and decide who to vie for. I am telling you here and for the record because I know a bit of this system…what we do with our own Riggy-g and our own opposition figures about our coalition…and by the way, don’t be in a hurry; you will not see that coalition this year,” Mbae said.

“You will see people moving around differently; you will see Martha Karua there, Fred Matiang’i there, and Sifuna here. By the time you target Rigathi, Kalonzo comes up; by the time you target Sifuna, he comes up. We are going to see that the whole year until next year. We are going to announce our presidential candidate in May next year, so there is no hurry,” he added.

Mbae has further said that this strategy is aimed at keeping the opposition fresh and dynamic, making it difficult for political adversaries to target and undermine any leader prematurely.

Importantly, Mbae has revealed that the opposition coalition intends to announce its presidential candidate in May 2027, just months before the elections. He emphasised that there is no need to rush and that unity is crucial.

Mbae’s statement also alluded to a potential political alliance with Sifuna’s Linda Mwananchi faction. Mbae’s inclusion of Sifuna on his list of opposition leaders has sparked speculation about a possible coalition between Sifuna’s faction and the Alternative United Government. This development could have profound implications for opposition unity.

The announcement reflects a strategy among opposition leaders to build alliances gradually while staying open to various political options. If it materialises, this coalition could unite disparate political interests for the elections.

As the political campaigning season unfolds, the focus will be on how these factions develop and if the opposition can successfully put their strategy into action to pose a serious threat in the 2027 elections.