Itumbi Claims Kalonzo Has Settled on Sifuna as Running Mate

NAIROBI, June 10, 2026 — President William Ruto’s digital strategist Dennis Itumbi has sparked fresh political debate after claiming that Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has settled on Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna as his preferred running mate for the 2027 General Election.

In a lengthy open letter circulated on social media and addressed to a figure he referred to as “Jofri”, a name widely interpreted in political circles as a reference to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Itumbi laid out what he described as the opposition’s emerging political strategy ahead of the next election.

According to Itumbi, Kalonzo and Sifuna are expected to lead a coalition under the banner of the Ukombozi Linda Mwananchi Alliance, bringing together Kalonzo’s Komboa Kenya campaign and Sifuna’s Linda Mwananchi movement.

The strategist further alleged that the opposition has already identified key candidates for Nairobi’s top elective seats.

He claimed Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has been earmarked for the Nairobi governor race, while former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Irungu Nyakera is being considered for the Senate seat.

In a pointed attack on Gachagua, Itumbi claimed the opposition leadership had rejected advice allegedly advocating for a Kikuyu candidate in the Nairobi governor contest, suggesting growing tensions over the direction of opposition politics and the role of the Mount Kenya region within the coalition.

The most serious allegations in Itumbi’s statement concerned the planned protests scheduled for June 24 and June 25, as well as the anticipated Saba Saba demonstrations.

Without providing evidence, Itumbi accused Gachagua of being the architect of the planned protests and claimed the former deputy president follows a recurring pattern of distancing himself from events when demonstrations turn chaotic.

The allegations are likely to intensify an already heated political environment as opposition leaders continue to mobilise supporters against the Kenya Kwanza administration.

Neither Kalonzo, Sifuna nor Gachagua had publicly responded to Itumbi’s claims by Wednesday evening.

The remarks come at a time of heightened political activity within opposition ranks. Kalonzo recently intensified his Komboa Kenya campaign, signalling his intention to mount another presidential bid, while Sifuna and allies associated with the Linda Mwananchi movement have been conducting political rallies across several regions.

Political observers view Itumbi’s intervention as part of the increasingly aggressive battle for narrative control ahead of 2027.

While some interpret the claims as an attempt to expose and potentially destabilise opposition plans, others argue the level of detail contained in the statement suggests deep knowledge of ongoing discussions within rival political camps.

The claims also place fresh pressure on Gachagua, who has been seeking to consolidate support following his fallout with President Ruto and subsequent impeachment battles.

Whether Itumbi’s assertions reflect genuine political realignments or form part of a broader contest for public opinion remains unclear. What is certain is that the statement has injected fresh intrigue into an opposition landscape that is still taking shape more than a year before the next General Election.