Seven parties bid for Gachagua and Kalonzo coalition

OPPOSITION parties are rallying to form a massive coalition reminiscent of the 2002 National Rainbow Coalition, which ended Kanu's long-standing rule, in a bid to unseat President William Ruto in the 2027 polls.

So far, at least seven political parties have expressed interest to join the yet-to-be-launched coalition, with indications that more are poised to follow.

Among the core parties anchoring the initiative are the recently unveiled Democracy for Citizens Party led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Wiper Party headed by former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka and DAP-Kenya under the leadership of former Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa.

Other parties expressing intent to join the alliance include former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee, former CS Peter Munya’s Party of National Unity, former Attorney General Justin Muturi’s Democratic Party, and Martha Karua’s People’s Liberation Party.

“We have so many parties—almost 10—standing with us here. We are united and we shall never be divided by Kasongo. We don’t want your money, Kasongo,” Wamalwa declared during a political event at Kalonzo’s rural home in Kitui on Thursday.

Insiders reveal that the coalition’s strategy is to bring together Kenya’s leading political heavyweights under one formidable umbrella, effectively isolating President Ruto and limiting his ability to form strategic regional alliances ahead of the 2027 polls.

“The opposition’s plan is to lock him out of every region. He has to figure out how to counter this,” said political analyst and university lecturer Herman Manyora.

In 2002, several opposition parties including the Democratic Party, LDP and NAK formed Narc that floored Kanu in the historic election.

During the Kitui event, Kalonzo announced that the opposition leaders would soon unveil the coalition’s name and formal structures.

“We are going to announce the name and form our winning coalition that will dwarf the Narc of 2002,” Kalonzo said.

The plan involves selecting political leaders from nearly every region, with individuals lacking a political party encouraged to establish one for inclusion in the broader coalition.

Gachagua is expected to spearhead efforts in the Mt Kenya West region as Kalonzo maintains control over Lower Eastern.

 Eugene, Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, and former UDA secretary general Cleophas Malala are tasked with delivering the Western Kenya vote.

In Mt Kenya East, PNU leader Peter Munya and former CS Mithika Linturi are expected to consolidate support.

Sources say the leaders are courting Kanu chairman Gideon Moi to take charge of Rift Valley alongside Kajiado Senator Seki Ole Kanar, who is tasked with delivering the Maa vote.

In Nyanza, former Interior CS Fred Matiang'i, seen as a formidable opposition flag bearer, is in charge.

Uhuru’s Jubilee has already declared him their presidential candidate. However, Gachagua has openly told Matiang’i to form his own party to galvanise his backyard.

Matiang’i has been linked to the little-known United Progressive Alliance, which has its roots in the Gusii region.

The opposition politicians are reportedly searching for formidable persons at the Coast and in Northeastern, which seem to be under the firm grip of the ruling coalition.

Speaking in Kitui, Gachagua dismissed fears of any divisions or disagreements that could rock the opposition in the process of picking its flag bearer.

He said all the leaders will be accommodated in the government. “We are going to sit down as leaders and get one person to battle with Ruto. I want to assure you that this coalition of ours will form the next government,” he said.

“The government is big. One person will be President, another will be Deputy President, another will be Prime Cabinet Secretary and another will be Speaker. There is enough space for all of us. But the most important thing for Kenya to succeed, Ruto must go,” he said.

The emerging alliance could leave President Ruto with limited political options, chief among them Raila Odinga, who has sent mixed signals about his future political direction.

The long-standing opposition figure, who maintains significant support in key voting blocs, entered a cooperation agreement with Ruto in March.

Yet Raila’s position remains ambiguous as he continues to send mixed signals about the nature and longevity of the pact, keeping Ruto’s political think tanks on edge.

“Let me tell you, do not rely on Raila. He can change in the 11th hour and you will have no place to turn to,” former Mosop MP Vincent Kipkirui recently warned in a message aimed at Ruto.

Political analyst Manyora described the opposition’s strategy—recruiting regional political kingpins—as a powerful and potentially decisive move.

“If Ruto is locked out of Mt Kenya, Eastern, Western, and Gusii, then it’s clear that his options are becoming narrower,” Manyora observed.

In April, Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang’ hinted at the party fielding a presidential candidate to face Ruto in the next polls.

Raila’s key allies have ramped up criticism of the administration, while calls within ODM to field its own presidential candidate in 2027 are growing louder.

“To build a political movement of the stature and nature of ODM is no mean task. ODM shall remain, and ODM shall be on the ballot in 2027. That is the plan,” the vocal lawmaker said.

The President also faces mounting public backlash over unpopular policies, including high taxation and the cost of living. An opinion poll released by Tifa on Wednesday showed 75 per cent of respondents said the country was headed in the wrong direction.

Former CS Muturi declared Ruto’s administration as dysfunctional. “My work is to ensure William Ruto is one term. Do I have any other role? Gen Z, Ruto, when I went to his place to tell him my kid had been abducted, he called Noordin Haji and my child was released,” he said.

He added, “In DP, we are inside this coalition, and our duty is to ensure that we end the bad leadership of President William Ruto.”

Munya said, “We met as a party and agreed to partner with other leaders in the opposition to ensure one term. Kenyans, we have landed in a deep ditch that we put ourselves in. But it is us to get ourselves out of that ditch.”

INSTANT ANALYSIS

ODM leader Raila Odinga now appears to hold a decisive card in President William Ruto’s re-election prospects, as the head of state faces diminishing political options. Signs of opposition unity are growing more visible, fueling speculation over the formation of a broad-based alliance aimed squarely at unseating Ruto.