People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua (center) with opposition leaders (from left) Eugene Wamalwa (DAP-K), Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper Party), Dorothy Semu (ACT Wazalendo party) and Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua during PLP's launch in Nairobi on February 27, 2025.
The race to unseat President William Ruto in 2027 is shaping up to be a major test for Kenya’s opposition.
Fearing that the search for a unifying candidate could deepen political fault lines after the recent cooperation deal between President Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga, opposition figures are set to meet within the week to re-strategize and strengthen their unity.
This comes amid threats that President Ruto was still making overtures to some opposition luminaries to incorporate them in his broad-based government with Mr Odinga.
Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa, a key opposition figure told Nation that the President has been making multiple attempts to woo their members, adding that they have scheduled meetings in April and May to cement their pact.
“Yes, we are aware of the overtures, but I can tell you that we shall not fall for that,” Mr Wamalwa told Nation.
“As far as we are concerned, the day Raila and Ruto signed that agreement, that actually spelled the end of Azimio and we are now ready to face them in the coming election.”
But while Mr Odinga insists he is not part of the government, his Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with President Ruto signals a possible shift in his stance, fuelling speculation that he may be warming up to back his re-election bid.
With this development, political analysts argue that other opposition figures must remain united and rally behind a formidable candidate capable of challenging Dr Ruto’s grip on power.
Will not fail Kenyans
Mr Wamalwa, however, vowed that they will not fail Kenyans by being divided in their quest to kick Kenya Kwanza government out of power in 2027.
He said together with former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, People’s Liberation Party chief Martha Karua, former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i and any other willing Kenyan, they have made a commitment to sacrifice their ambitions for the best bet to faceoff with Dr Ruto for the sake of Kenyans.
“To many Kenyans, it matters less who will be the next President, whether Wamalwa or Kalonzo or Gachagua or Matiang’i or Karua, but it matters most who must never be President again, and that is William Ruto aka Zakayo, aka Kasongo,” Mr Wamalwa told Nation.
“Enough is enough with Ruto. We don't care if it is going to be Wamalwa, Kalonzo, Gachagua, Karua, or Matiang’i, who will be the presidential candidate, or who the running mate will be.”
He went on: “In April, you are going to see us together, and in May, we are expecting Gachagua to launch his party. You will see us together. So we are assembling a broad-based people's coalition to remove this broad-based government. So, even as they are broadening their broad-based government, we are also broadening the opposition with what we consider our sacred duty, to make sure that we send Zakayo home and save Kenyans from this agony.”
Mr Gachagua has also reiterated that he is putting together an elaborate team that even with Mr Odinga’s backing, Dr Ruto will not be able to defeat.
“At the moment, we are not interested in identifying the flag bearer who will face Ruto in 2027. Our priority is to unite the people and ensure more Kenyans register as voters. The only way to liberate the country is getting as many people as possible to vote,” Mr Gachagua said during a recent radio interview.
But he was categorical that despite Mr Odinga’s backing, his team would still defeat Dr Ruto.
Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka (left), his DAP-Kenya counterpart Eugene Wamalwa, and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua when they met at Karen Blixen in Nairobi.
“…there is nothing big he (Mr Odinga) will offer to Ruto. Even if he supports Ruto, they will fail. With or without Raila, we are okay. It is upon him to decide which side of history he wishes to be,” Mr Gachagua said.
Minority Presidential candidates
Political analyst Martin Oloo argues that Kenya’s politics has taken on a new twist following the political rapprochement between Dr Ruto’s UDA and Mr Odinga’s ODM.
“If the opposition do not come together and front one candidate, Ruto and Raila will sponsor some minority Presidential candidates who will in turn, chip away some of the votes giving them a clear win,” said Mr Oloo.
With the knowledge that Gachagua is unlikely to be cleared to run for president due to his impeachment, and the possibility that his camp may settle on a candidate from outside Mt Kenya region, a source within the broad-based government said, “the State will obviously sponsor a candidate or candidates from the vote-rich region to give president Ruto an edge over the opposition.”
Article 75(3) of the Constitution provides that a state officer (including the Deputy President) removed from office for violating the Constitution is disqualified from holding any other public office.
This means that once impeached, the individual is barred from running for any elective or appointive position in Kenya unless cleared by the courts.
Ms Karua has reiterated that their call for unity is the foundation of her liberation movement and that their commitment is to send President Ruto home.
“Each one of us must subordinate our interests to the interest of the nation. Whoever gets elected as the candidate through a transparent method that we shall devise, we shall all rally behind that person,” Ms Karua said.
Mr Musyoka also recently maintained that Kenyans were united against president Ruto and that as opposition, they are ready to offer a better alternative leadership the public was yearning for.
“The country is united against one person who pretends that he is busy uniting all Kenyans. We are going to do the necessary…and it is going to be bigger than 2002,” Mr Musyoka said, referring to the Narc movement that swept Kanu out of power under Mwai Kibaki.
Mr Wamalwa, termed as secondary, the issue of who will be the opposition’s flag bearer or presidential running mate.
“For us, we are looking at this as a sacred mission to save the country, to save the majority of Kenyans who are already suffering…and for this, we are prepared to pay the ultimate sacrifice to ensure we achieve this mission.”
Unbeatable coalition
“But for now, we are focused on strengthening our political parties across the country and assembling an unbeatable coalition that will send Zakayo and his cronies home,’ added Mr Wamalwa.
Prof Gitile Naituli of Multimedia University argues that in politics, controlling how others see you is as important as the policies you advocate.
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.
“Any leader hoping to defeat Ruto in 2027 must seize control of the narrative. You are not fighting for truth—you are fighting for influence. Those who command public perception control the political arena and this is what the opposition must first do,” said Prof Naituli, a Management and leadership professor.
He says the opposition must start action now by “building networks, creating alliances, and securing financial and political muscle.”
“The question is not whether the opposition should play the game. The question is whether they will master it or be ruled by those who do. Ruto is not unbeatable, but he will not be defeated by wishful thinking. Victory in 2027 will belong to the leader who understands power for what it truly is: a game of strategy, perception, and control. Will the opposition seize power, or will they be spectators in their own defeat? The answer lies in whether they choose to play—or be played,” added Prof Naituli.
Already there is silent discontent within the opposition ranks after former president Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee party threw its weight behind Dr Matiang’i.
Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni has, however, defended the party’s move, noting that the ex-CS was the first individual to express his interest in the party’s ticket to run for the top seat in 2027.
“Matiang’i is the one who reached out and he will be talking about it in the coming days we are not going to wait for too long when he thinks he is ready he will do it,” Mr Kioni said.
However, Dr Matiang’i did not comment on his ambition when reached by the Nation.
jjochieng@ke.nationmedia.com
