TSEIKURU, Kenya – Opposition leaders have pledged to rally behind a single presidential candidate in the 2027 general election in a bid to unseat President William Ruto, promising to emulate the successful 2002 opposition alliance that swept Mwai Kibaki to power.
Speaking at Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka’s Tseikuru home on Thursday, Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa said the opposition would not allow internal divisions to derail their shared goal of reclaiming power.
“We have more than 10 political parties represented here in Tseikuru today, and we are affirming our unity—we shall not be divided,” Wamalwa said. “We promise you one thing—we shall replay the 2002 journey, when the opposition united and rallied behind Mwai Kibaki.”
The former Defence Cabinet Secretary called on fellow opposition leaders to put aside personal ambitions and support a common candidate who would offer a credible alternative to President Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza administration.
“To succeed like we did in 2002, we must be selfless,” Wamalwa said.
In a subtle yet pointed appeal, Wamalwa urged ODM leader Raila Odinga—who has since lent support to President Ruto’s bid for the African Union Commission chairmanship—to back Kalonzo Musyoka for the presidency.
“Even as you support President Ruto, remember, Raila—you owe Kalonzo a debt of gratitude because he stood with you since 2013,” he said.
DAP-K deputy party leader Wafula Wamunyinyi echoed the unity call, warning of external attempts to divide the opposition camp before 2027.
“Let’s stand united. If we do, we’ll be able to sit down and support a single candidate to face President Ruto in 2027,” Wamunyinyi said.
The gathering at Kalonzo’s rural home was seen as a strategic show of force and solidarity by opposition heavyweights ahead of a long political season.
The 2002 election, frequently cited by opposition figures, saw the then-divided opposition unite under the National Rainbow Coalition (NARC), ending the KANU regime’s four-decade rule
