By James Murimi - Reporter
Kenya, May 07, 2026 - Former Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) board chairperson Irungu Nyakera has signaled a renewed push for Nairobi’s top seat while moving to publicly reaffirm his loyalty to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua amid growing speculation of cracks within the Opposition-allied camp.
Nyakera used a hard-hitting political statement to dismiss reports that he had abandoned the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), fallen out with Gachagua or stopped supporting the fast-growing “Wantam” political movement that has emerged as a rallying call against President William Ruto’s administration.
Instead, the former Principal Secretary portrayed himself as firmly embedded within the Opposition realignment taking shape ahead of the 2027 General Election.
“My role in DCP was only as Patron for Nairobi because of my gubernatorial ambitions for Nairobi,” Nyakera said, in remarks that are likely to trigger fresh succession calculations in the capital.
The statement is being interpreted by political observers as an early declaration of interest in the Nairobi governor race, even as Opposition figures continue consolidating support in key urban centres viewed as critical battlegrounds in 2027.
Nyakera strongly defended Gachagua, dismissing claims of political friction between the two leaders.
“I have never fallen out with Rigathi Gachagua. In fact, I still consider him a political mentor and a man courageously carrying the Wantam message across the country,” he said.
The former KICC chairperson also accused unnamed State operatives of sponsoring propaganda to divide emerging Opposition formations.
“To the National Intelligence Service-sponsored bloggers, bots and propaganda machinery pushing these stories to create confusion and weaken the opposition, know that Kenyans are smarter than you think,” Nyakera said.
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His remarks come at a time when political temperatures are rising following increased mobilisation by leaders associated with Gachagua, former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee Party and other factions seeking to challenge President Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza coalition.
Nyakera also sought to clarify his relationship with Farmers Party, insisting he never quit the outfit despite actively participating in Opposition politics.
He explained that he only stepped aside as party leader after joining government due to regulations barring heads of State corporations from simultaneously holding political party positions.
The Farmers Party dramatically exited the Kenya Kwanza Alliance in 2025, accusing the ruling coalition of betrayal and political bad faith in a move that exposed widening cracks within parties that backed President Ruto’s presidential bid.
In its exit letter addressed to coalition leaders and the Registrar of Political Parties, the party accused Kenya Kwanza of “dishonesty, political infidelity and outright disregard” for the coalition agreement.
Nyakera served as Principal Secretary for Devolution and Planning during former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration and has recently emerged as one of the most vocal figures gravitating towards the anti-Ruto political axis.
His latest remarks are expected to intensify political debate over the stability of Kenya Kwanza and the growing momentum of Opposition realignments taking shape nearly two years before the next General Election.