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Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has fired a warning to politicians looking to unseat President William Ruto in 2027.

In a statement on X on Sunday, December 1, 2024, Cherargei claimed that opposition leader Raila Odinga will be backing Ruto for the top seat, eliminating chances for any other Kenyan to unseat him.

For opposition politicians to stand a chance of surviving in the top political race, Cherargei has advised those eying the seat to form a political coalition and join hands with Ruto.

Cherargei predicts that Raila will win the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship in February 2025, consequently shelving his 2027 presidential ambitions.

“In 2027 there is only one horse H.E. Ruto in possible combination with Tinga the rest are donkeys. He will vanquish them by 10 am. Raila shall win the African Union chairperson unopposed & in return shall support H.E Ruto’s re-election in 2027. If they are wise they should form a coalition around HE Ruto’s candidacy,” Cherargei advised.

Ruto challengers

In 2027, Ruto is facing opposition from activist Morara Kebaso, Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah, former cabinet secretary Fred Matiang’i, Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka and a possibility of Narc Kenya Party Leader Martha Karua who are eying the top seat.

There have been reports that Ruto has been losing grip in the Mt Kenya region following the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. The region was instrumental in Ruto’s win in 2022, which saw him floor Raila with slightly over 200,000 votes.

Recently, the Gikuyu, Embu and Meru Association, which forms the Mt Kenya region, welcomed the Akamba community into the association indicating the possibility of the formation of a political outfit entailing the four communities.

Already, Kalonzo has been toying with forming a coalition with the Mt Kenya communities, while Gachagua has hinted at forming a political vehicle for the Central region ahead of the 2022 race.

Speaking on November 24, 2024, Gachagua revealed that he had been engaging with locals since his ouster from the government.

He noted that he had convened various meetings with religious leaders, entrepreneurs, and other like-minded individuals, and he will announce their resolution in January 2025.

“We are talking with religious leaders, business people, and other leaders with whom we share the same ideologies. This January, I will inform you what we will have agreed on,” Gachagua stated.

Omtatah is banking on the youthful voters to unseat the incumbent in 2027, having already announced a 10-man thinktank to spearhead his 2027 campaign.

However, the seasoned activist-cum politician will have to battle it out with Kebaso for the youthful populace, which they are both targeting.

On the other hand, Karua, in what seems to be a preparation for 2027, has announced Narc Kenya’s exit from the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition party and a planned rebranding of the party.

Despite having not spoken officially, Matiang’i is reported to be working behind the curtains in preparation for the big race in 2027.