Tit-for-tat: Kalonzo, Gachagua axis joins Ruto on the campaign trail

A united opposition led by Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and DCP's Rigathi Gachagua has hit the ground running in a tit-for-tat response to President William Ruto’s perceived early campaign blitz.

The coalition—which includes Martha Karua (PLP), Eugene Wamalwa (DAP-K), Justin Muturi (DP) and former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i—has launched "rapid-fire" rallies across the country, seeking to counter Ruto’s aggressive grassroots mobilisation.

But the President, a seasoned tactician, is already in full campaign mode, replicating the energy and strategy that propelled him to power in 2022.

From development project launches to church fundraisers and impromptu market rallies, Ruto is effectively campaigning barely three years into office.

His events, often framed as government tours, are meticulously staged, combining fiery speeches, subtle digs at rivals and charm offensive to mend fences in vote-rich Mt Kenya after his fallout with Gachagua.

In Western, Coast and Nyanza, Ruto is strategically dangling his political partnership with ODM leader Raila Odinga to win more trust.

But the opposition too has refused to cede ground to Ruto’s early advantage and are now hitting the campaign trail holding rallies in areas previously dominated by the broad based titans as they vow to dismantle what they describe as regime of empty promises.

“As the Mulembe nation, you have been misused for far too long and being abandoned after they ride on your vote to ascend to power,” Gachagua said on Thursday during Kakamega rally.

According to Matiang’i, the team is only held familiarisation meetings, promising a bruising campaigns when time is rife.

“The official campaign period has not started. What we are doing now is building relations, institutions and getting to understand each other and share ideas,”  the former CS said during an interview with Citizen TV on Tuesday night.

“When campaigns start, we will have a proper schedule.” 

The team last month rolled first joint campaigns that saw them traverse Ukamabni and Coastal counties.

This week, they camped in Western, where they staged a whirlwind campaign blitz, cutting across key counties traditionally considered strongholds of Ruto and Raila.

The team visited Vihiga, Kakamega, Bungoma, Busia and Trans Nzoia counties.

The move is seen as a deliberate effort to undercut Ruto’s Rift Valley grip and Raila’s Western base, exploiting growing public dissatisfaction, Gen Z activism and economic frustrations.

The high-octane whistle-stop campaign is also part of the group’s broader strategy to expand their political base ahead of the high-stakes 2027 polls.

The opposition’s tit-for-tat strategy appears calculated and symbolic with the team countering regions where the President has recently campaigned in.

Addressing a charged rally in Kakamega on Tuesday, Gachagua accused Kenya Kwanza administration of conning the region and failing to honor pre-campaign pledges that ring-fenced 30 nper cent power share to the area.

The former Ruto’s principal assistant said the current administration reneged on the 1,000 km of tarmac road to Mulembe nation.

During Coast and Ukambani tours last month, the leaders pledged to unite behind a single presidential candidate in 2027 to take on President Ruto, promising a well-organised campaign with trained agents at every polling station.

 “Even if they stuff IEBC with their puppets, we will beat them at every polling station. Our agents will relay real-time results. No tricks. No games,” Kalonzo said. “Time is up for this administration.”

Ruto’s allies, meanwhile, have dismissed the tour as political theatrics that will not translate into votes.

Sirisia MP John Waluke said the opposition team is weak and only trying to brave face to dupe Kenyans.

The Western Kenya MPs caucus chairperson said the exit of Raila from the opposition fold has left a shell that cannot stage any significant challenge to Ruto’s re-election.

“Ever since Raila joined broad-based government, the opposition wing has remained weak,” Waluke said.

Speaking in Tiata Taveta county on Thusrday, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki cautioned Kenyans against falling into the trap of tribal divisions.

“Do not be misled into entertaining tribal divisions because it is harmful to our efforts to unite the nation,” he said.