Opposition leaders now claim the government seeks to infiltrate and divide their formation to benefit President William Ruto, ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Jubilee Party leader Fred Matiang’i, People’s Party of Kenya leader Ndindi Nyoro and People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua accused President Ruto of doing everything possible to cling to power.
Speaking in Narok on Sunday during a church service and later at a rally in the town, the opposition brigade vowed to remain united despite what they described as State machinations, promising not to disappoint Kenyans who had placed their trust in them.
“I commit that I am ready to go forward. This country needs us to be together. The people want us to be one. It is not easy. It is tough coming to an agreement within the opposition, we cannot lie about it. It requires a lot of sacrifice and patience as we do not want to lie to or betray Kenyans,” Dr Matiang’i said.
The newly appointed Jubilee Party leader added: “I promise you Kenyans, we will not let you down. We will work together as the opposition. We are not pretenders or hypocrites.”
Opposition unity has eluded political parties in previous General Elections, with the exception of 2002 when former Prime Minister Raila Odinga backed then Democratic Party leader Mwai Kibaki, who went on to defeat Kanu’s Uhuru Kenyatta.
Dr Matiang’i and Mr Nyoro said on Sunday that the government is pulling all the stops to push opposition leaders and their supporters in different directions, but insisted the strategy would not succeed.
“The government is using money to foment conflict in the opposition and interfere with multiparty democracy, with security funds being used to cause conflicts in political parties,” Dr Matiang’i said.
He said the alleged interference was intended to weaken the opposition and make it easier for President Ruto to secure a second term, but insisted the tactics would fail.
Dr Matiang’i said infiltration of opposition parties by government agents and the National Intelligence Service was common during election periods and that the current administration could deploy similar tactics.
“I am here with my friend Ndindi Nyoro, whom I speak with every day on the way forward for this country, and the likes of Moitalel Ole Kenta, a respected Maasai elder. Our founding fathers did not fight for independence so that we could become slaves. We will liberate this country in the next General Election,” Dr Matiang’i said.
Mr Nyoro said opposition leaders would overcome attempts to divide them as they seek to select a single presidential candidate to face President Ruto, whom he accused of failing Kenyans.
“We are a team as opposition leaders. There should be no cause for alarm. The other leaders are spread across the country engaging Kenyans,” Mr Nyoro said.
He added: “Sometimes we are together, sometimes we are spread across the country to deal with misinformation by the government. We will have one team on the ballot, which will enable us to win without going into a runoff in the presidential election.”
Opposition leaders, including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, leader of the Democracy for Citizens Party, former Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka of Wiper Patriotic Front, Safina Party leader Jimmy Wanjigi and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, have recently taken different positions as they shape their own narratives in the presidential race.
Accompanied by Jubilee Secretary-General Moitalel Kenta, MPs Anthony Kibagendi (Kitutu Chache), Patrick Osero (Borabu), Clive Gisairo (Kitutu Masaba) and Obadiah Barongo (Bomachoge-Borabu), the leaders called on Kenyans to rally behind the opposition and pray for unity and reason to prevail.
Ms Karua separately said on Saturday that opposition unity and the fielding of a single presidential candidate was the only way to defeat President Ruto in the election.
“Kenyans will decide who will fly the flag of the opposition. We will let the people decide the candidate. It will not be done in boardrooms,” Ms Karua said.
She added: “I will rally behind whoever is picked as the joint opposition flag bearer through a consultative process among us as candidates and with the people of Kenya.”
The former presidential contender and former MP was speaking in Bahati, Nakuru County, while presiding over the opening of an office for the Farmers Party, whose leader is former MP Kimani Ngunjiri.
Ms Karua said Kenyans were tired of the current administration, which she accused of hurting the business community, workers, ordinary citizens and leaders.
Mr Nyoro said in Narok that the opposition would put in place measures to improve the economy, including fixing the tourism sector and increasing the number of foreign visitors from 2.7 million to 10 million annually.
“While we are attracting 2.7 million tourists, Morocco has 19 million tourists annually. We need a government that prioritises tourism and creates three million direct job opportunities for Kenyans,” Mr Nyoro said.
Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro when he announced that he had defected from UDA to the People's Party of Kenya at Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi on August 17, 2026.
Photo credit: Lucy Wanjiru | Nation Media Group
He also accused the Ruto administration of mishandling the education sector, saying the cost of education had risen to unmanageable levels for parents.
“In 2027, when we take over power as the opposition, I can assure you that we will have totally free education for our children and net the 1.3 million children who are not in schools,” Mr Nyoro said.
The leaders also criticised President Ruto over what they described as exploitation of communities living in mineral-rich areas.
“I challenge the President to publish the geospatial survey report so Kenyans can know areas in their counties that have minerals. Briefcase companies have been awarded licences to extract minerals, including gold in Narok County, without the knowledge of local communities,” Mr Nyoro claimed.
Dr Matiang’i said the opposition, if elected, would cancel licences he said had been irregularly issued by the current administration, which he accused of becoming exploitative.
