Former Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria has predicted a political shakeup ahead of the 2027 elections, using a football analogy to warn six prominent politicians that they risk being casualties of the evolving political landscape.

In a statement posted on his X account on Monday, January 19, 2026, Kuria compared the upcoming political period to a football match where inexperienced players succumb to pressure despite playing well.

“Ever watched a football game where a team plays flawless football but cracks to pressure at some point due to inexperience and loses narrowly? That’s how 2026 will turn out to be,” Kuria stated.

Politicians on the watch list

The former Gatundu South MP went on to single out a group of politicians he described as players he fears for, noting that he holds deep personal regard for most of them.

“I fear for the following players. I deeply love and cherish 5 out of the 6 of them,” he stated.

The former CS named Saboti MP Caleb Amisi, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, Nominated Senator Godfrey Osotsi, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, and Nairobi Senator and ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna as politicians he believes are vulnerable to political pressure in the run-up to 2027.

Football analogy significance

Kuria’s football metaphor comes just hours after Senegal’s dramatic 1–0 victory over Morocco in the AFCON 2025 final in Rabat, a match that vividly illustrated how pressure can undo even the most dominant side.

Morocco, buoyed by home support and carrying the weight of expectation to end a 50-year wait for continental glory, largely controlled the contest but failed to convert their advantage into goals.

The defining moment came deep into stoppage time when Brahim Diaz was handed a chance to seal the title from the penalty spot, only for the pressure of the occasion to overwhelm him as his attempted Panenka was comfortably saved by Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.

The miss underscored how high-stakes moments can destabilise teams unprepared for the psychological demands of elite competition.

Senegal, by contrast, remained composed, eventually capitalising in extra time through Pape Gueye’s strike to clinch their second AFCON title.