The opposition’s dream of fielding a single formidable challenger to President William Ruto in 2027 appears increasingly fragile after a day of parallel political events that highlighted the widening rift.
As President Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) projected unity and celebrated its achievements in Nairobi, Kenya’s opposition put its disunity on full display.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta , together with ex-Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua pulled apart in different directions at separate, high-profile political gatherings.
While Ruto ally Mr Raila Odinga was in Kisii County marking ODM@20 celebrations with his deputy Simba Arati and a host of party bigwigs, Mr Kenyatta was in Nairobi presiding over a Jubilee National Delegates Conference (NDC) alongside Dr Matiang’i.
At the same time, Ms Martha Karua was also in the city declaring her presidential ambitions during the People’s Liberation Party (PLP) conference, flanked by Rigathi Gachagua, Kalonzo Musyoka, Justin Muturi, Eugene Wamalwa and Mithika Linturi, among other ‘united opposition’ leaders.
People's Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua addresses the party's National Delegates Conference at Ufungamano House, Nairobi, on September 26, 2025, where she formally announced her candidacy for the 2027 presidential race.
Photo credit: Wilfred Nyangaresi | Nation Media Group
The simultaneous events not only underscored a fractured opposition landscape but also highlighted the difficulty of building a united front against President Ruto’s UDA, which on the same day projected cohesion and progress.
At the Jubilee NDC, former President Kenyatta cut the figure of a man determined to revive his old party, accusing unnamed forces of attempting to wrest it from him.
“Today marks three years since we held our NDC. This is not my fault – it is all due to those who forcefully wanted to take our party. They were sent,” he told the charged delegates.
Notably, by his side was Dr Matiang’i, his once-powerful Interior CS, who has lately been associated with the Gachagua-Kalonzo-led opposition wing.
Former President and Jubilee Party leader Uhuru Kenyatta (left) with former Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang’i during Jubilee Party Special National Delegates Conference at Ngong Racecourse in Nairobi on September 26, 2025.
Photo credit: Bonface Bogita | Nation Media Group
His presence at the Jubilee NDC left observers puzzled, given that Mr Gachagua and Mr Musyoka were at Ms Karua’s event at the very same time.
At her NDC, Ms Karua, Mr Odinga’s running mate in the 2022 election, made her boldest statement yet, declaring her intent to run for president on the PLP ticket.
“We must march together as a united opposition. Each of us will grow our candidature, but eventually, we will subordinate our ambitions to the interest of Kenyans. We will sit down and produce one candidate,” she told delegates.
People's Liberation Party(PLP) leader Martha Karua(center) interacts with ex-Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua(immediate left), flanked by former Agriculture CS Franklin Linturi(right), and other opposition leaders and supporters, during the PLP National Delegates Conference at Ufungamano House, Nairobi, on September 26, 2025.
Photo credit: Wilfred Nyangaresi | Nation
She added a striking twist: “I will be seeking a single term – one term. We must demystify power in Kenya, in East Africa, and in Africa. Leaders get to power and refuse to leave. In five years, it is possible to lay a foundation. Nobody will ever finish the job of making Kenya prosperous.”
Speaking at the event, Mr Gachagua warned of a State ploy to scuttle the opposition.
“William Ruto knows his goose is cooked. He knows a joint opposition will send him home by 10am and he has embarked on a very serious scheme to divide the opposition. Be alert. You will see in the next several days the kind of schemes he’s having: creating confusion in the opposition, buying people, dividing others. Let Kenyans stay alert,” Mr Gachagua claimed.
“Luckily for us, Kenyans are very intelligent. They will know. When they see a mole, they will know. When they see somebody being used to divide the opposition, they will know. Let Kenyans be alert. But for us here, we must stay together because Kenyans expect no less,” he added.
“We are going to make sure we stay united,” vowed Mr Wamalwa. “We have decided to walk together, the way you see us here, until the end; until we make sure one term has happened and someone is back in Sugoi.”
Mr Muturi noted: “We’ve been seeing a number of doubting Thomases making claims about the place of the united opposition. Our presence here is a testament that we are here for the long haul; to accomplish the one-term mission.”
Meanwhile, Mr Odinga was in Kisii County, the political backyard of Dr Matiang’i, marking two decades since the birth of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
He was hosted by Kisii Governor Simba Arati, with a strong line-up of governors and legislators in attendance, among them Gladys Wanga (Homa Bay), Ochillo Ayacko (Migori), Fernandes Barasa (Kakamega), Abdulswamad Nassir (Mombasa) and Senator Ledama Ole Kina.
He used the event to rally his troops and defend his legacy, only days after declaring that ODM was well in the 2027 State House race.
“Who told you that ODM will not have a presidential candidate in 2027? First, think as ODM, we have a clear plan that we have negotiated and agreed on; other decisions will be taken when the time comes,” he declared.
Former Prime Minister and ODM leader Raila Odinga during an interview at his home in Kare, Nairobi on July 19, 2025.
Photo credit: Wilfred Nyangaresi | Nation Media Group
The symbolism of Mr Odinga’s rally in Kisii – on the same day Mr Kenyatta was hosting Dr Matiang’i in Nairobi – underscored the widening rift.
While the opposition displayed its divisions, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki seized the opportunity to showcase UDA’s unity and ideological discipline.
Speaking at the party headquarters in Nairobi, Prof Kindiki presided over the presentation of nomination certificates to successful candidates in the upcoming November 27 by-elections.
“This party was founded on an ideology – the transformation of our economy from the bottom up. We must not lose that identity,” Prof Kindiki told delegates.
He highlighted UDA’s achievements, including the rollout of the Social Health Authority universal coverage, affordable housing, agricultural subsidies, education reforms, and job creation programmes.
The DP also lauded UDA for embracing digital nominations and warned candidates against arrogance on the campaign trail. “Don’t be proud. Don’t talk down on people. Voters hate hubris. Sell UDA’s agenda and remain humble,” he urged.
The big divide in the opposition poses a serious challenge to efforts at forming a formidable front against UDA.
Mr Odinga’s continued dominance, Ms Karua’s fresh bid, Mr Kenyatta’s attempted comeback, and the ambitions of Mr Gachagua and Mr Musyoka, all point to an opposition still searching for coherence.
