Kenya's opposition leaders remain united behind a single presidential candidate for the 2027 general election, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said on Sunday, dismissing weeks of public disagreement as ordinary rivalry inside one family.

Speaking during a church service at the Full Gospel Churches of Kenya in Isinya, Kajiado County, the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader said the opposition had agreed to rally behind one candidate to challenge President William Ruto, according to People Daily.

"The opposition is united to a man, and we have agreed that we will produce one presidential candidate," Gachagua said, insisting that disagreements among opposition figures were normal political differences and did not signal a breakdown in their working relationship.

Family rivalry, not a split

Gachagua compared the tensions to rivalry between children in the same family, arguing that such differences were expected but should not overshadow the leaders' shared political interests. "What is happening is simmering rivalry within the house. It is a family. It is like children with one father. They may feel that their father loves one more than the other, but that is normal in any family," he said.

He named former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, former Defence Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa, Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna among the leaders he said remained committed to the coalition arrangement.

Three leaders meet after weeks of tension

The remarks came as Gachagua, Matiang'i and Kalonzo appeared together on Sunday, presenting a united front after weeks of simmering tensions, public disagreements and sharp exchanges that had threatened to tear the opposition camp apart.

Matiang'i shared photographs of the meeting on social media, writing: "Brothers will always put Kenya first," while Kalonzo said the leaders were on the same page, declaring: "We Are Together. Ni Ukombozi Time!" Neither side immediately disclosed details of their discussions, but the meeting raised hopes that the opposition principals were working to settle their differences before the next election.

What caused the friction

The friction followed Gachagua's proposal for an arrangement built around three major voting blocs: his own support in the Mt Kenya region, Kalonzo's influence in Ukambani, and Sifuna's growing standing in Western Kenya. Gachagua has argued that combining those bases could give the opposition the numbers to defeat Ruto.

The proposal drew criticism from other opposition figures. Matiang'i warned against what he described as majoritarian arrogance, arguing that the presidency should not be decided by dividing the country into regional or ethnic voting blocs, while Democratic Party leader Justin Muturi accused Gachagua of bullying and intimidating his colleagues.

Gachagua has defended his approach, saying the contest will be decided at the ballot and that leaders must show they can deliver votes through grassroots mobilisation. He has also cautioned that no candidate should expect the opposition ticket to be handed over without a fight.

With the general election still more than eight months away, the opposition's challenge now is to turn Sunday's show of unity into an agreed method for choosing its single candidate, and to keep the public arguments from returning.