Kenya's opposition deepened coordination on Wednesday after Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro formally aligned with a coalition led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. The move widened a rift with President William Ruto ahead of the 2027 general election.

Nyoro announced his decision after months of consultations with Gachagua, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and People's Liberation Party leader Martha Karua. A close ally of Ruto in the 2022 campaign, Nyoro cited disagreements over economic management and the government's fiscal record as reasons for his shift.

The realignment concentrates opposition strength in the vote-rich Mount Kenya region, where Gachagua has sought to rebuild support after his 2024 impeachment. The Institute for Democracy and Leadership and other Kenyan think tanks have identified the region as central to Ruto's re-election calculations.

Kenya Kwanza alliance members played down the defection, saying the president's development agenda would retain broad backing. Opposition figures countered that the growing coalition signalled a coordinated challenge to the administration over the cost of living and governance.

The leaders indicated further announcements on the coalition's structure would follow in coming weeks, as talks continue over a possible joint presidential ticket for 2027.