Plan to form an opposition alliance in bid to oust President William Ruto after one-term is gaining momentum, with leading lights saying they are closer to the proverbial "white smoke".
Emerging from a two-hour meeting at a Nairobi hotel, former Deputy President (DP) Rigathi Gachagua , Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa said the country should be ready for a big announcement.
The three leaders are forming what they consider a formidable alliance to take on President Ruto in his re-election bid, in a battle of allies-turned-foes.
Though tight-lipped on details, the leaders hinted at a major declaration during the official launch of Martha Karua's new party, the People's Liberation Party; a re-branding of the National Rainbow Coalition-Kenya.
"We were just having a cup of tea as we prepare for the future. We will make a major statement on Thursday next week during the official launch of Karua's new party," said Mr Wamalwa.
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka (left) and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Photo credit: Nation Media Group
Mr Gachagua and Mr Musyoka declined to give further details, sticking to the "cup of tea" line.
"Nothing for today. We will talk when the time is right," the two leaders said as they left the venue in quick succession, a few minutes after 1pm.
However, the Nation has learnt that the former DP was the convener of the discreet meeting, which lasted between 11am and 1pm. The three leaders converged at the upmarket hotel, with Mr Gachagua being the first to arrive, a few minutes after 11am, before moving to a private corner away from the prying eyes of the guests
The meeting comes hot on the heels of a scathing attack by DP Kithure Kindiki during a development tour of Meru County on Tuesday, when he stopped short of calling Mr Gachagua and Mr Musyoka "failures", saying the two leaders had nothing to show for their time as the country's second most senior officials.
The two leaders have been Kenya's second-in-command at different times, with Mr Gachagua serving as DP until his impeachment last year and Mr Musyoka as vice president during the time of President Mwai Kibaki.
"There are no projects that Mr Kalonzo would point to as having initiated. What does he have to show for his time? My predecessor was here for two years. His greatest achievement was to divide Kenyans and promote tribalism," said Prof Kindiki, urging the vote-rich Mt Kenya region not to be fooled by the government's critics.
Mr Gachagua has made public an ongoing high-level plan to build a formidable team that will make President Ruto a one-term president.
From left: Kisii County Senator Richard Onyonka, Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa, Former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malalah and DAP-K Deputy Leader Wafula Wamunyinyi during the launch of DAP-K new headquarters at Karen, Nairobi on January 27, 2025.
Photo credit: Lucy Wanjiru | Nation Media Group
Promising to launch his party in May, Mr Gachagua has been reaching out to like-minded politicians to sell them the 2027 presidential bid grand plan.
The ex-DP has been at loggerheads with President Ruto since they fell out, describing his government as a one-man show and accusing him of short-changing Kenyans and implementing projects through corrupt deals.
Former Interior Minister Dr Fred Matiang'i is also in the shadow of the growing opposition plan, with former President Uhuru Kenyatta said to be in the thick of things to get the ex-minister to either challenge President Ruto as the Jubilee Party's flag-bearer or join the would-be alliance.
Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah.
Photo credit: Pool
Last month, the leaders met during the inauguration of the DAP-K headquarters in Nairobi, with the call during the meeting to foster unity to dethrone President Ruto.
Dr Matiang'i, who is out of the country, was represented at the launch by Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka, signalling his intention to work closely with the nascent alliance.
The leaders have been united in their castigation of the broad-based government, with more pointed attacks on President Ruto.
They have been upbeat that the journey to free the country from the shackles of corruption, dictatorship, kidnappings and poor leadership, which they say have reached almost unmanageable levels, is unstoppable.
During the launch, Mr Gachagua expressed confidence of dethroning his former boss come 2027, saying Dr Ruto had lost at least four million votes from the restive Mt Kenya region and was now cornered.
"We are part of this team and we will walk this path together to liberate this country. We will make whatever sacrifices are necessary to ensure that Ruto is a one-term president," said Mr Gachagua.
He promised to build a solid opposition team of selfless leaders who will not fall into the temptation of "going into the elections with a predetermined mindset that it has to be my way or the highway".
The ex-DP revealed that they will sit down and do the proper arithmetic to avoid any fallout ahead of the 2027 battle royale.
"This journey is not for the faint hearted, we do not have money to buy fear but with the great leaders we will work together and unveil a national movement," he said.
On the other hand, Mr Musyoka said the country was witnessing a new beginning and they would bring all like-minded leaders on board in the journey to replace President Ruto in the elections.
"Matiang'i recommended a technical team to consult further so that we do not leave anyone out. If Ruto consolidates other parties to join UDA, we will open the space for others to join this team. There is no room for division," said Mr Musyoka.
