Mumias East Member of Parliament (MP) Peter Salasya has warned that efforts to position Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna at the centre of Western Kenya politics could deepen divisions within the opposition and weaken efforts to build a united front ahead of the 2027 General Election.

In a statement on his X account on Sunday, July 19, 2026, Salasya questioned whether the growing debate around Sifuna’s political future was aimed at strengthening the opposition or driven by individual interests that could destabilise the Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) and the wider opposition alliance.

“The ongoing push to position Edwin Sifuna at the centre of Western Kenya politics raises important questions. Is this momentum genuinely about strengthening the opposition, or is it being driven by individual political interests that could weaken both DAP-K and the broader united opposition ahead of the 2027 General Election?” Salasya posed.

Leadership contest

The MP said internal competition among Western Kenya leaders had previously contributed to political divisions, citing reported disagreements involving DAP-K leaders Jack Wamboka and Eugene Wamalwa.

He said there had been remarks that Wamboka expected to become the party’s secretary-general after winning his parliamentary seat on a DAP-K ticket, but that Wamalwa declined to support the move.

According to Salasya, the disagreement was linked to Wamboka’s role as chairman of the Public Investments Committee, which some viewed as placing him too close to the broad-based government, while DAP-K had opted to remain outside the arrangement.

“Regardless of differing interpretations, these developments have reflected internal competition rather than unity,” he said.

Salasya also cited political disagreements involving Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, as well as the shifting political positions of Senator Boni Khalwale and former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala.

Lessons from past elections

The MP warned that Western Kenya had previously experienced political divisions when leaders backed different presidential candidates.

“History provides lessons. In 2013, many in Western Kenya supported Raila Odinga’s presidential bid, yet the candidacy of Musalia Mudavadi divided part of that support,” Salasya said.

He added that the region again experienced political divisions in 2022, when leaders supported different presidential candidates.

Salasya said the opposition could not afford similar divisions ahead of the 2027 General Election.

“If opposition leaders begin competing against one another before agreeing on a common strategy, they risk weakening the coalition’s chances of presenting a credible alternative to the Kenya Kwanza administration,” he said.

Call for consensus

The MP said Wamalwa remained one of the most experienced opposition leaders from Western Kenya and could play a key role in coalition negotiations as a presidential candidate, running mate, or senior coalition leader.

He urged leaders to prioritise strategy, public support and the collective interests of the opposition over individual ambitions.

“My appeal to Western Kenya leaders is simple: exercise patience and place the interests of Kenyans above individual political ambitions,” Salasya said.

He warned that political divisions that prioritise personal interests over national unity could erode public confidence in both individual leaders and the region’s political leadership.

“Ultimately, the success of the opposition will depend on unity, discipline, and choosing leaders through consensus and public confidence rather than through competing personal agendas,” he said.