The newspapers Tuesday, October 27, widely covered the alignments happening in the opposition ahead of the 2027 presidential vote, preparing to take on President William Ruto.
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Source: UGC
1. Taifa Leo
The newspaper reported on a coalition of senior Western Kenya politicians having thrown its weight behind Nairobi senator Edwin Sifuna's 2027 presidential ambitions, publicly urging Musalia Mudavadi and Moses Wetang'ula to cede political ground to a younger generation.
The push came into sharp focus last weekend at the funeral of former cabinet minister and ambassador Burudi Nabwera, where the elders used the occasion to press the Luhya community to rally around a single presidential candidate.
Former Cabinet Minister Fred Gumo, 81, drew attention after clashing with Kiminini MP Kakai Bisau, who reportedly sought to prevent political discussion at the funeral.
Gumo was unapologetic about mixing politics with the occasion.
"We have gathered here to bury Burudi Nabwera, who was a politician, and he should be buried alongside politics. You cannot bury a politician who was a minister as though he were a pastor," Gumo said, before adding: "As Luhya people, we already have a presidential candidate. Please, let us support Sifuna."
Noah Wekesa, 90, chairperson of the Luhya Council of Elders and a former forestry minister, framed the effort as a campaign for community solidarity at the ballot box.
"We want unity and to bring the Luhya people together so they vote in one direction, and that is what I have been preaching. We cannot continue like this because we must vote as one stream," Wekesa said.
Musikari Kombo, 82, argued that Mudavadi and Wetang'ula, both of whom are over 60 years old, should give way to Sifuna.
"Now is the time for the youth to fight, and we elders should bless them. We had the baton of leadership and we are handing it to Sifuna. Mudavadi and Wetang'ula are over 60; if they are good elders, they should leave it to Sifuna," he said.
Former Webuye MP Joash Wamang'oli, 74, took aim at both Mudavadi and Wetang'ula, saying they should withdraw from positioning themselves as the community's standard bearers.
He compared Sifuna's crowd-pulling appeal to that of former US president Barack Obama.
"Sifuna has the spirit of Raila, and when he is on stage, you see people dancing, and they are not paid to attend his rallies," Wamang'oli said.
Former Bumula MP Bifwoli Wakoli characterised the 2027 election as a historic opportunity for the Luhya community to claim a significant stake in national politics.
"Sifuna is an idea whose time has come, and those opposing him are heading towards political obscurity," Wakoli said.
Businessman Ibrahim Ambwere, aged over 90, has also been linked to the campaign.
Reports published in July indicated he donated three brand-new Toyota Prado vehicles to support Sifuna's campaign and was prepared to bankroll the senator's presidential bid. His family did not publicly deny the reports.
Former Tongaren MP Eseli Simiyu is also said to have left Eugene Wamalwa's DAP-K party to join Sifuna's camp.
2. The Standard
The newspaper spared space for the meetings held at DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua's home in Wamunyoro, Nyeri County.
On October 20, Gachagua hosted the Linda Mwananchi group led by Senator Edwin Sifuna. On Monday, October 26, the former deputy presiden hosted Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and DAP-K's Eugene Wamalwa.
Kalonzo and his allies are said to have travelled there to seek a political alliance with Gachagua, with both sides pledging to work together ahead of the 2027 general election.
The meeting ended without a firm agreement on one of the central questions dividing the two camps: when to publicly name a joint presidential candidate.
Kalonzo's delegation proposed that the opposition settle on a flag-bearer by December this year, arguing that an early announcement would give the candidate enough time to mobilise resources, build campaign networks, and engage the diaspora.
Gachagua's side pushed back, favouring a timeline closer to the August 10, 2027 election date.
Their concern was that naming a candidate too early could expose the opposition to interference from President William Ruto, who they fear could use state resources to peel away key figures from their coalition.
Kitui senator Enoch Wambua, who was part of Kalonzo's delegation, confirmed that the meeting did not produce a consensus on a specific date, noting the opposition comprises many partners whose views must be accommodated.
"However, speakers at that meeting acknowledged that Kenyans are increasingly running out of patience over the delay in announcing our presidential candidate," Wambua said. "As we continue building a solid coalition, a Christmas gift could be the announcement of that candidate," he added, while making clear the final decision rests with the party leaders.
Gatanga MP Edward Muriu and his Embakasi Central counterpart Benjamin Gathiru, popularly known as Mejja Donk, both argued the opposition needed more time before settling on a candidate.
Muriu said the priority was first formalising the partnership through a signed agreement and then forming a fully constituted political coalition.
Gathiru warned that rushing the process would hand Ruto a tactical advantage.
"We know what Ruto can do. He can fund some leaders to withdraw and run for the presidency," he said, adding that party affiliates needed to respect one another and allow senior leadership to guide the final decision without being pressured by timelines.
People's Party of Kenya leader Ndindi Nyoro said the deliberations required adequate time to identify the most suitable candidate.
"We need to assess the state of the country and then decide who among us is best placed to address those challenges. We hope the process will be fair and based on merit," Nyoro said, adding that his party was prepared to back whoever emerged through consensus.
Kalonzo was accompanied by Wambua, Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo, Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti, and other leaders. Gachagua hosted the talks alongside Muriu, Nyandarua Senator John Methu, Kipipiri Member of Parliament Wanjiku Muhia, and Kiambu Senator Karungo wa Thang'wa.
Wambua described the exchange between Kalonzo and Gachagua as cordial, focused on the country's future direction.
3. Daily Nation
The newspaper on the unanswered questions around the collapsed multi-storey building in Nairobi's Easleigh area.
Nairobi governor Johnson Sakaja and police have publicly contradicted each other over who bears responsibility for the collapse of an 18-storey building on 9th Street, Eastleigh, with multiple agencies distancing themselves from the disaster.
Sakaja maintained that the county never approved the building's plans and that construction was stopped on two separate occasions. He also alleged that some of the permits circulating online were forgeries.
Police spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga dismissed the governor's account, stating that the issuance of building permits and the enforcement of construction regulations fall entirely under county jurisdiction.
He noted that counties have dedicated enforcement departments with the legal authority to halt any construction.
"Police have no involvement whatsoever in the construction of such buildings. Those are responsibilities belonging solely to county governments, and indeed, counties have law enforcement departments that have the authority to completely stop any construction work," Nyaga said.
He added that the governor's remarks were those of someone drowning and grasping at anything to stay afloat.
Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Ingonga confirmed that his office had not yet received an investigation file from the county, and directed the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to establish whether county officials, builders, or technical professionals played any role in causing the tragedy.
The National Construction Authority (NCA) disclosed that the project was registered on July 30, 2025, with 9th Street Plaza Limited named as the responsible company.
The building's owner, Mohamed Khatar Ali Noor, insisted that all necessary permits were in place, even as engineer Joseph Muturi Mugu publicly distanced himself from the project.
The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) had written to the company in January 2026, requesting the submission of detailed architectural drawings, indicating that regulatory concerns about the project predated the collapse.
Source: TUKO.co.ke