NAIROBI, Kenya — Leaders of the United Opposition have pledged to stay united and back a single presidential candidate to challenge President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election, declaring that national interest outweighs individual political ambition.
Speaking at the Democratic Party (DP) National Delegates Congress held at Ufungamano House in Nairobi, the opposition leaders said unity was their strongest weapon against the Kenya Kwanza administration, which they accused of mismanaging the country.
During the congress, former National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi was officially confirmed as the Democratic Party leader and its presidential flagbearer, marking a significant step in the opposition’s early preparations for 2027.
The high-profile meeting brought together key opposition figures, including former Deputy President and Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua, former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, PLP leader Martha Karua, DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa, and Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka.
Muturi claimed there were deliberate efforts by leaders allied to the Kenya Kwanza administration to weaken opposition unity by planting rival interests within parties.
“They were even searching for someone to compete with me at this congress so that I would not emerge as the flagbearer,” Muturi said, warning that anyone sponsored to create divisions within the opposition was betraying the Kenyan people.
He maintained that the country was still salvageable, insisting that collective leadership could steer Kenya back on course.
“The opposition stands firm. Kenya is not broken beyond repair,” Muturi said.
Martha Karua said the determination to remove the Kenya Kwanza government from power was the glue holding the opposition together.
“We have one mission — to bring good leadership. Unity is not optional if we are to liberate this country,” Karua said.
Kalonzo Musyoka echoed the sentiment, saying opposition unity was the only realistic path to defeating President Ruto at the ballot.
Former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i dismissed speculation that the opposition alliance would collapse, saying those betting on its disintegration would be proven wrong.
Rigathi Gachagua, who has recently emerged as a fierce critic of the government he once served in, told delegates that the opposition would present Kenyans with a candidate capable of making President Ruto a one-term leader.
“Do not worry. Kenyans themselves will make William Ruto a one-term president,” Gachagua said.
The opposition’s show of unity comes against the backdrop of President Ruto’s growing confidence in his political fortunes.
On Monday, the President said the cooperation between the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) would secure him victory in the 2027 election by a margin of between two and three million votes.
Speaking during a UDA National Governing Council meeting, Ruto said his administration had drawn critical lessons from the closely contested 2022 election, which he won by about 200,000 votes, noting that future leadership required broader national support.
The President defended the UDA-ODM partnership, describing it as essential for national unity and the implementation of the Kenya Kwanza transformation agenda, arguing that it would help end post-election exclusion and polarisation.
