NAIROBI, Kenya — Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has warned Kenya’s opposition leaders against delaying the selection of a joint presidential flag bearer, arguing that waiting until late 2026 could deepen divisions and leave the opposition with too little time to mount a coordinated campaign against President William Ruto.
Owino said the opposition should agree on its presidential candidate as soon as possible rather than postpone negotiations until December 2026 or next year.
Speaking during a meeting with Linda Mwananchi aspirants in Nairobi on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, the lawmaker said an early consensus would give the opposition enough time to mobilise supporters and campaign behind a single candidate ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The Embakasi East MP, who is also eyeing the Nairobi governorship, rejected suggestions that opposition leaders should first consolidate their individual political bases before deciding who will carry the coalition’s presidential ticket.
“Hii, Mambo ya opposition inasema itaunite in December or next year; they will lose elections. By December there will be so much interest, mpaka tena kila mtu atakuwa anataka kuenda kivyake. The best time for these people to unite is now. If they unveil one candidate and begin to campaign, it will be an early win for them. The more they wait, the more they split. Without opposition unity, we will suffer,” Owino said.
Owino pushes for immediate consensus
Owino argued that delaying the decision would make it increasingly difficult for opposition principals to put aside their individual ambitions.
He said politicians would by December be more focused on defending their own political positions and securing support for parliamentary, gubernatorial and other elective seats.
In his view, that would leave less political energy and time to campaign for a common presidential candidate.
Owino maintained that agreeing on a flag bearer early would allow the opposition to begin presenting a unified alternative to Ruto and give the candidate time to build a nationwide campaign structure.
His remarks come as opposition parties continue consultations over how to settle on a single presidential candidate without alienating leaders whose individual political ambitions remain active.
Gachagua backs later selection
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has taken a different position on the timing of the opposition’s presidential choice.
Gachagua has argued that naming a candidate too early could expose the individual to increased pressure and political attacks from the government and its allies.
He has instead called on opposition principals to first consolidate their respective political bases before entering formal negotiations.
Under that approach, each leader would demonstrate the level of support they command before the principals negotiate over the presidential ticket.
Gachagua has therefore rejected calls for an immediate declaration, maintaining that building political strength should come before choosing the coalition’s candidate.
Orengo invokes 2002 Kibaki strategy
Siaya Governor James Orengo has also played down the need for an early announcement.
Orengo has pointed to the 2002 “Kibaki Tosha” moment, when opposition leaders rallied behind Mwai Kibaki only a few months before the General Election.
The example has been cited to argue that an opposition coalition does not necessarily need to unveil its presidential candidate years before an election to mount an effective campaign.
Orengo’s position is that maintaining unity among opposition parties and principals is more important than the timing of the announcement.
The argument contrasts with Owino’s view that an early decision would itself strengthen unity by giving politicians and supporters a common campaign focus.
Muturi calls for early announcement
Democratic Party leader Justin Muturi has similarly supported an early selection of the opposition flag bearer.
Muturi has argued that the candidate should be introduced to Kenyans early enough to build national visibility, mobilise supporters and organise a campaign.
His position aligns more closely with Owino’s argument that a candidate needs sufficient time to build momentum before the election.
However, the opposition remains divided over how and when the candidate should be selected.
