Top guns unite against Ruto’s second term bid

President William Ruto is likely to face a gruelling re-election bid with opposition top guns vowing to rally behind a single candidate in the 2027 polls.

The unity bid became clear on Thursday as Martha Karua unveiled her rebranded political outfit–the People’s Liberation Party–with bigwigs promising a political tsunami.

Missing in the list of guest was former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who is set to announce his next political move next week.

Raila is, however, widely expected to unveil a political pact with Ruto. Karua, Kalonzo Musyoka of Wiper, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Eugene Wamlawa (DAP-K) and Jimi Wanjigi (Safina) vowed to stick together.

Also present were former Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana and former Minister Mukhisa Kituyi.

The team also appears to be keen on exploiting the disgruntled youth and gave a platform to activist Morara Kebaso.

Speaking at the forum, the leaders likened the 2027 political wave against Ruto to the 2002 polls when Narc swept to power.

“In 1992 we were divided, 1997 the same. In 2002 we learned our lessons that without unity we cannot succeed,” DAP-K Eugene Wamalwa fired, setting tone for the meeting.

For years, the opposition has faced the elections disjointed after last-minute defections, betrayals and secret negotiations derailing the unity efforts.

The political bigwigs, however, vowed they will not repeat the mistakes of the past where a disjointed opposition had played into the hands of the incumbent President.

“At any one point, all of us cannot lead. If I am honoured to be the candidate, I will not let you down and if I am not the candidate, I will be the first to back the candidate,” Wamalwa said.

“We must unite and work together to send Ruto home.”

Kalonzo promised a big political wave bringing together the opposition team in the next election.

“We are going to unite under an idea and agenda; it cannot just be unity to remove an individual. It is not going to business as usual today. We are going to do necessary important things from today,” Kalonzo said.

“It is going to be bigger than 2002, we are going to be action-oriented unity movement.”

Taking cue from Kalonzo, Karua appealed to other leaders to be ready to make sacrifices “for the general good of the country”.

Terming the new-formed alliance a unity of purpose, the former Azimio running mate said transparency will be adopted to get the best.

“Each one of us must subordinate their interest to the interest of the nation and whoever gets selected as a candidate through a transparent process that we shall devise, we shall all queue behind the candidate,” she said.

“I will put my commitment 100 per cent behind the candidate to deliver victory to the candidate.”

Karua also defended her coming together with Gachagua, saying the former Mathira lawmaker is “now on the right side of history”.

“Those who are asking how we are standing with Riggy G, what did he do to me or is there land he grabbed from me? This is not a time for divisions, this is not a time to point fingers at your brother or sister, anybody who is on the side of the liberation is an ally,” she said.

According to the plan, like-minded parties will strengthen their individual parties and then subject themselves to an agreed selection process to produce one candidate.

“Let us continue to strengthen our parties, mobilising our support and at the right time, we will sit down and craft a formula that will liberate this country. All of us should be selfless and do whatever it takes and sacrifice for this country,” Gachagua said.

“We need to liberate this county and that cannot be achieved unless we unite. We have a task ahead to liberate this country and that can only happen if we are united. Kenyans are telling us to come up with a formula to send Ruto home. We cannot fail the people of Kenya.”

The former DP told Raila to delink from Ruto whom he claimed is “managing” the ODM leader before dumping him.

“Mr Raila leave him [Ruto] alone, the man is managing you. We know him very well,” Gachagua said.

The leaders were speaking on Thursday during the launch of Karua’s People’s Liberation Party, formerly Narc Kenya.

The event at Liberation House, Woodlands Road, brought together politicians, members of civil society and youth leaders.