Kenyan opposition leader Rigathi Gachagua announced that the opposition coalition will name its presidential candidate for the 2027 General Election after the Christmas period. He emphasized that political mobilization and voter registration are the current priorities.

• The opposition plans to decide on a single presidential candidate early next year, specifically after the Christmas holidays.
• Key figure Rigathi Gachagua, leader of the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), made the announcement at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport before departing for the United States.
• Gachagua cited the example of Mwai Kibaki, who was named the National Rainbow Coalition candidate on October 14, 2002, for an election held on December 27, 2002, to illustrate that there is no need to rush the decision.

Leaders from Mt Kenya East are intensifying pressure on their counterparts in Mt Kenya West to reciprocate decades of political support by backing Deputy President Kithure Kindiki in the upcoming election cycles.

• The primary objective is to position Prof. Kindiki, currently Deputy President, as a successor to President William Ruto in 2032.
• Key figures advocating this push include Water Cabinet Secretary Eric Mugaa, Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, and Meru Governor Isaac Mutuma, invoking a history of regional support for leaders from Mt Kenya West, such as Presidents Jomo Kenyatta, Mwai Kibaki, and Uhuru Kenyatta.
• This strategy aims to secure a pathway to the presidency for the Mt Kenya region, arguing that the East deserves a turn to produce the community's presidential candidate after decades of backing leaders from the West.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) is increasingly eroding former President Uhuru Kenyatta's Jubilee Party support, particularly in Nairobi, with elected leaders defecting.

• At least three Jubilee MPs in Nairobi have declared they will defend their seats on DCP tickets in the upcoming 2027 polls.
• Notable defectors include Kamukunji MP Yusuf Hassan, Embakasi Central MP Mark Mwenje, and Starehe MP Amos Mwago.
• Jubilee Co-Deputy Party Leader Jeremiah Kioni downplayed the defections, calling them "an opportunity" to find committed party members.