NAIROBI, Kenya — Democratic Party leader Justin Muturi has said he will support Kalonzo Musyoka for the presidency if he is not selected as the United Opposition’s presidential candidate for the 2027 General Election.
Muturi’s remarks add a new dimension to the ongoing race for the opposition ticket, with several coalition principals positioning themselves for the top seat while maintaining they will eventually unite behind a single candidate to challenge President William Ruto.
“If I’m not selected as the presidential candidate, the only other principal in the United Opposition I can support is Kalonzo. Let’s stop beating around the bush,” Muturi said.
Opposition succession debate
The United Opposition brings together Kalonzo, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Martha Karua, DAP-Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa and former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i.
The coalition has been conducting joint political rallies across the country as it seeks to build support ahead of the 2027 elections while criticising the Kenya Kwanza administration.
Its leaders have also called on politicians associated with the ODM-linked Linda Mwananchi movement, including Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, to work with the alliance.
Although coalition leaders have pledged to field a single presidential candidate, they are yet to announce the criteria or timeline for selecting the flag bearer.
Karua calls for coalition agreement
Muturi’s endorsement of Kalonzo differs from the position adopted by other opposition leaders, who have largely maintained they will support whichever candidate is selected through a mutually agreed process.
Karua, who has publicly declared her interest in the presidency, has previously said she would support another candidate if she is not chosen but ruled out serving as a running mate.
“I will not be a running mate. I will do my best to be that united opposition candidate, but should somebody else be chosen, I am willing to support them without being their running mate,” she said during an interview on Citizen TV.
She has also proposed a formal coalition agreement that would bind all principals to support the eventual nominee.
“I long for the day that we will have a written document as the opposition rules of the game, which everybody signs, committing to abide by those rules and support whoever is selected,” she said.
Karua argued that the coalition should also adopt a joint manifesto outlining shared policy priorities regardless of who secures the presidential ticket.
Running mate proposals
The leadership debate has also drawn proposals from allies of other opposition figures.
Over the weekend, Democracy for Citizens Party deputy leader Cleophas Malala proposed Senator Sifuna as the coalition’s running mate, arguing that the Western region should be considered for the deputy presidency if it does not produce the presidential candidate.
Malala said opposition leaders should first agree on a single presidential flag bearer before selecting a deputy.
“We as the Luhya community have said we are not asking for the presidency. We are reserving the deputy presidency. Whether the opposition settles on Kalonzo, Gachagua or Matiang’i as its presidential candidate, those who do not get the ticket should support the chosen candidate,” he said.
He added that if Sifuna is not selected, another leader from the Western region, including Eugene Wamalwa, should be considered for the position.
The United Opposition has yet to unveil its nomination framework as its principals continue joint campaigns while seeking to maintain unity ahead of the 2027 General Election.