The United Opposition, steered by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Wiper boss Kalonzo Musyoka, is laying the groundwork for an epic battle with President William Ruto in the 2027 elections.
Insiders say the coalition is pursuing an intricate strategy designed to make Ruto a one-term—or as they call it, ‘wantam’—President.
The Star has established that the political leaders have appointed a think tank to be led by former Cabinet minister Mukhisa Kituyi.
Kituyi, who is now the spokesperson and head of secretariat of the joint opposition team, has big diplomatic clout, coming at a time when Kenyan political bigwigs are jostling for influence in Washington.
He is the immediate former secretary general of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
The former Kimilili MP is a well-grounded politician, experienced in the country's politics and is seen as a sober thinker.
He was previously Kenya's Minister of Trade and Industry from 2002 to 2007 and was the chief executive of the Kenya Institute of Governance.
The Kituyi-led think tank comprises academics, lawyers and politicians.
The team has already finished its first task of proposing possible names, symbols and colours for the yet-to-be-formed outfit.
“We are as good as done with the work we were given. We have proposed names for the coalition, symbols, even the colours,” a member of the think tank told the Star.
According to the insiders, names depicting the opposition’s bid to liberate the country from “the excesses of the current administration” have been floated.
“It is something about Ukombozi or Liberation. But it was agreed that it be subjected to further consultation, especially with the youth. We are looking at a name that resonates with the youth,” the source intimated.
The team has also recommended setting up an elaborate headquarters in Nairobi to serve as the coalition’s nerve centre.
The principals have been meeting at the Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka (SKM) Centre in Karen.
The proposal has been submitted to the principals for consideration.
“We have a meeting on Monday [yesterday] with the principals. They will discuss and agree. They could unveil the name on Monday and also approve the acquisition of the office,” the source stated.
At the core of the opposition’s strategy is loyalty to the cause.
The leaders have entered an unwritten pact to remain united, despite expected state attempts to divide them ahead of the polls.
“As political leaders, we agreed that first of all, we must have a team. The team is building up strongly,” Kalonzo said recently.
Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua, a close ally of Kalonzo, said, “We know too well the danger of fielding two candidates against Ruto. That is why we are ready to make any sacrifices provided we remain united.”
The team is also reaching out to other influential leaders outside government to build a broader front to take on Ruto.
The opposition’s main aim is to deny the President—who has signalled an intention to work with ODM leader Raila Odinga—any powerful ally to form a formidable alliance with.
So far, at least nine parties are leaning toward the United Opposition.
They include the DCP, Wiper, Democratic Alliance Party, People’s Liberation Party, Democratic Party, PNU, Farmers Party and Jubilee Party.
Currently, Ruto’s UDA is anchored in the Kenya Kwanza coalition alongside National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula’s Ford Kenya and Senate Speaker Amason Kingi’s Pan African Alliance.
Raila’s ODM, however, has yet to sign a formal coalition agreement with UDA.
But opposition leaders believe Raila will not stay with Ruto until the next elections.
“Raila will leave Ruto, that is for a fact. You cannot steal my goat, then invite me to eat meat from the same goat when my children are hungry,” Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo said.
In addition to working behind the scenes to anchor the coalition, the think tank is crafting a formula of picking a joint opposition presidential candidate to face Ruto.
This will be based on set parameters, including the number of votes a principal is likely to bring to the table, political experience, and acceptability across the country.
Further, the team has been tasked with mapping out the country to establish the opposition's strength.
"We are analysing the numbers. You can do everything, excite people and have crowds, but it boils down to numbers. We want to see whether our strengths and weaknesses are. Do you have enough numbers to beat Ruto?" DCP deputy party leader CleophasMalala said.
The opposition will then use the data to lay out its campaign strategy across the country.
Currently, individual parties that have shown interest in joining the United opposition have been set free to popularise and strengthen themselves.
"Going forward, you will be seeing us, especially Wiper, moving around the country selling our party and popularising our coalition," Wambua said.
Appointing Kituyi brings to the team a seasoned leader with deep experience in governance, trade diplomacy and policy strategy, giving the alliance both credibility and international stature.
“Naming of the spokesperson and head of secretariat of the opposition is part of the preparation to ensure that our messaging is right,” Wambua said.
His appointment, however, sparked disquiet, with some members branding him an “old guard” unlikely to appeal to youth.
"It cannot be in the leadership of our coalition; there is no face of the youth yet It is the youth that we are going to seek votes from. Youths are the biggest constituency we have," Malala said.
He was, however, prevailed upon to drop his stance that could have triggered a standoff and instigated a fallout.
"Because we want unity and togetherness to beat Ruto, I decided to give in. But my point was clear: We needed the face of the youth in that top level," the former UDA secretary general said.
Kituyi’s team has also been tasked with crafting a formula for identifying individuals who qualify to be principals in the yet-to-be-formed opposition coalition.
"We don't want someone to be called a principal just because of historical considerations or merely because you have a party. A principal must have numbers behind him or her," Malala said.
He added that the planned unveiling of the coalition’s name could be postponed to allow for consultation and give room for other interested individuals and parties to join.
"Many people are still joining the opposition. Let's wait for people to come, and then we can reason together and agree. Otherwise, we will be locking out people from joining us," Malala reckoned.
The Kituyi-led team will also decide whether the opposition will form a coalition political party similar to Azimio La Umoja One Kenya or a coalition of political parties, as is the case with Kenya Kwanza.
As they roll out the strategies, the opposition plans to heighten its political attack on the President with the 'Wantam' mantra.
INSTANT ANALYSIS
Appointing Dr Kituyi as spokesperson and head of the secretariat brings to the team a seasoned leader with deep experience in governance, trade diplomacy, and policy strategy, giving the alliance both credibility and international stature. During his stint in elective politics, Mukhisa served as Member of Parliament for Kimilili constituency between 1992 and 2007. During that period, he served at different periods as chief Opposition Whip and chairperson of the Defence and Foreign Affairs Committee over the 10 years he was in opposition.
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