Journalist Kwamchetsi Makokha has offered a striking take on Kenya’s 2027 presidential race, placing Nairobi Senator and Linda Mwananchi leader Edwin Sifuna at the centre of a possible political arrangement involving President William Ruto.
Makokha, in his commentary, portrayed Sifuna as an emerging force in Kenyan politics while drawing a biblical comparison between the senator and Ruto.
“Sifuna is the new David of Kenyan politics. Ruto is Saul. Everything he touches...” Makokha wrote, highlighting what he sees as the growing political contest between the two camps.
His remarks come as Sifuna's profile continues to rise ahead of the 2027 General Election. The Nairobi senator has increasingly featured in political discussions around the opposition and the possibility of mounting a serious challenge to Ruto.
Makokha, however, questioned whether the intense rivalry witnessed during election campaigns ultimately determines how Kenyan leaders govern after elections.
He argued that Kenya has repeatedly produced political coalitions involving leaders who had previously appeared to be bitter opponents.
“Kenyan elections, however decisive, have a habit of ending in coalition,” he stated.
Makokha referenced several historical political arrangements, including Kanu's absorption of Kadu in 1964, Moi's cooperation with Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, the Kanu-NDP arrangement involving Raila Odinga, and the coalition formed after the 2007-2008 post-election crisis.
He also cited the 2018 handshake between former President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga, as well as Ruto's broad-based government arrangement, as examples of Kenya's tendency to produce political accommodation after fierce competition.
The journalist then presented a provocative proposal for 2027.
“Sifuna should be President; Ruto should deputise him -- for now,” Makokha suggested.
Under the proposal, Sifuna would secure the presidency in 2027 while Ruto would serve as deputy president for five years before seeking another presidential term in 2032.
Makokha acknowledged that such an arrangement would face constitutional questions, particularly because Ruto has already served two terms as deputy president under Uhuru Kenyatta.
“There is, admittedly, the small constitutional matter of Ruto having already served two terms as Deputy President,” he wrote, before joking that the matter could be addressed through a Supreme Court advisory opinion.
The proposal was framed as political satire and commentary rather than an indication that Sifuna and Ruto are negotiating such a deal.
Makokha argued that an agreement before the election could also reduce the enormous resources spent on campaigns, including rallies, advertising, security, motorcades and other political activities.
He further suggested that Kenyans could avoid the post-election bargaining associated with coalitions, handshakes and power-sharing arrangements.
“It is not a perfect arrangement. But Kenya has overcome more difficult things in the past,” Makokha stated.
He ultimately presented a hypothetical timetable in which Sifuna would become president in 2027, while Ruto would wait until 2032 to seek another presidential term.
The commentary shows the unpredictable nature of Kenya's political alliances as parties and leaders position themselves for the 2027 contest.