Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and his allies on Wednesday claimed former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua endorsed him as the opposition's presidential flagbearer for 2027 general election.
The remarks came as details emerged that Gachagua is quietly preparing his supporters for the possibility he may not ultimately be the opposition's presidential candidate.
The DCP leader is currently holding a 45-day political conclave at his Wamunyoro home in Nyeri, where he says he is consulting widely on the opposition's strategy, including identifying a single candidate to face President William Ruto next year.
Speaking during a private function in his Tseikuru backyard, Kalonzo appeared to confirm that Gachagua had settled on him as the coalition's preferred candidate.
"You've heard how Senator Enoch Wambua has passionately explained to you what is happening and even shared privileged information. Everything he has said, I want to confirm. That's exactly how things are," Kalonzo said.
He urged his supporters to remain united, expressing confidence the opposition would triumph in the next election.
"We must continue fighting and as we traverse every corner of this country, have faith. We shall definitely make it," he said.
Earlier, Kitui Senator Wambua claimed the opposition principals had already agreed on Kalonzo's candidature and that Gachagua was using the Wamunyoro consultations to prepare his supporters for the decision.
"This is the candidate our leaders have already agreed on. Once Gachagua finishes his consultations, he will officially announce to his people that the United Alternative Government presidential candidate is Kalonzo," Wambua said.
He said Gachagua has been asking his supporters whether they would back Kalonzo if he was not the coalition's flagbearer.
"You have seen Gachagua at his Wamunyoro residence conducting consultations. He asks his supporters, 'If I am not in the race and we agree to support Kalonzo, will you vote for him?' Their response has been overwhelmingly positive," Wambua said.
Details emerging from Gachagua's 45-day political conclave at his Wamunyoro home show he is urging his allies to embrace whoever the opposition eventually picks for the seat.
His message, insiders say, is that defeating Ruto is more important than individual ambition.
Sources familiar with the closed-door meetings say Gachagua has been clear with his supporters: they must be open to a candidate other than himself.
He has told them any of the opposition principals could eventually be picked to fly the coalition's flag.
The discussions are aimed at preventing divisions within his camp once the opposition settles on a single presidential candidate.
"Our party leader is open. He knows anyone among the opposition principals can be the flagbearer," Kajiado Senator Seki Kanar told the Star.
According to Kanar, Gachagua wants to ensure his supporters remain united regardless of who is chosen.
"He is consulting everyone. We must speak with one voice and ensure that we remain united. He is seeking the blessing of his supporters before engaging his colleagues in the united opposition," he said.
Kirinyaga Senator James Murango said the consultations are meant to solidify Gachagua's support base and prevent any fallout.
"You must consolidate your support base. The aim is to remove this regime from power. We will make sacrifices for the sake of the greater good," Murango said.
The consultations came weeks after the High Court upheld Parliament's decision to impeach Gachagua.
However, the court also ruled that the Senate violated his right to a fair hearing and awarded him Sh50 million in damages.
Gachagua has appealed the ruling.
Insiders say the judgment has forced him to rethink his political strategy. It has also made him prepare his supporters for different political outcomes.
The meetings signal a shift in Gachagua's political messaging and stance.
Before his impeachment, he openly declared an interest in challenging President Ruto in 2027. Today, however, his emphasis is on building a united opposition.
When he announced the consultations, Gachagua said he would keep off political rallies for 45 days.
"You will not see me anywhere at political rallies for the next 45 days," he said.
Instead, he said, he would engage political leaders, professionals, elders, clergy, youth and opinion shapers from across the country.
He disclosed that a 60-member advisory team has been meeting daily. The group includes elders, professionals, clergy and young people.
According to Gachagua, the team recently reviewed the High Court judgment. It then advised him that the opposition should move away from political rallies.
"There is no need for further political mobilisation," he said, quoting the advisers.
Instead, he said, they want him to focus on negotiations.
"They have tasked me with engaging in what, in their view, is of utmost priority — the identification of a single presidential candidate to face President Ruto," Gachagua said.
He said the advisers believe a united opposition is the only path to victory.
"They have instructed me that having a single presidential candidate against President Ruto is not negotiable," he said.
His allies say that message is already taking root.
East African Legislative Assembly MP Kanini Kega said Gachagua is ready to make personal sacrifices if that is what it takes to unseat Ruto.
"At the end of the meetings, we are looking at having one united front," Kega said.
"But we are also backing Gachagua for the presidency. The bottom line is we are exploring the best possible path to that unity."
"It is important to acknowledge that Gachagua is a force to reckon with. Anyone who wants to vie and win has to pay homage to Wamunyoro."
He claimed that leaders from the opposition and the government have quietly been visiting Gachagua.
"Many are coming and will continue to come. Some even from the government are coming at night but have told us not to mention them," Kega said.
He said Gachagua is also broadening his political reach.
"We are brainstorming not just as a region but looking wider. You saw him at the Coast engaging the Mijikenda leadership. He is looking at the best way to consolidate and form an unstoppable movement," he said.
Since retreating to Wamunyoro after the court ruling, Gachagua has turned the residence into a political command centre.
He has hosted delegations from different parts of the country almost every day.
On Thursday, he is expected to meet more than 300 opinion leaders from the Maa community.
On Wednesday, he hosted businessman and Safina Party leader Jimi Wanjigi.
Gachagua said they discussed the country's liberation agenda and the formation of the next government.
Earlier the same day, he met former MPs from the Mt Kenya region. They included Munene Wambugu, Kabinga Wathayu, Jude Njomo, Anthony Kiai, Gichuhi Mwangi and Kega.
On Tuesday, he met MCA aspirants, grassroots leaders and Nairobi MPs James Gakuya and Benjamin Gathiru.
The discussions focused on strengthening the DCP party ahead of the next election.
"Our party, DCP, will conduct free and fair party primaries in Nairobi, and the people's choice will be handed the party ticket," Gachagua said.
"I have encouraged them to step up grassroots party activities and always live by the party philosophy of listening to the people."
He has also met leaders from the Mijikenda community led by former Cabinet minister Chirau Mwakwere. Other delegations have come from Laikipia, Nyandarua, Narok, Kajiado, Meru and Kiambu counties.
