Opposition plots 2027 strategy as President lines up own meetings

Following a meeting of the opposition bigwigs on Thursday, a resolution was made for a joint strategy retreat to plan for the 2027 showdown.

“We will have a retreat in February to strategically develop the frameworks necessary for the monumental task that lies before us to liberate Kenya,” the leaders said in a joint dispatch.

Present at the meeting were opposition principals Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper), Martha Karua (PLP), Fred Matiang’i (Jubilee), Eugene Wamalwa (DAP-K) and former CS Mithika Linturi (representing DCP).

Also in attendance were Mukhisa Kituyi, who serves as the outfit’s spokesperson and Magerer Lang’at.

Makueni Senator and close Kalonzo ally Dan Maanzo told the Star the agenda for the retreat will be to discuss how to send Ruto home.

“There must be a definite way of sending Ruto home and that is what retreat is all about. We want to discuss how to bring all the opposition leaders in this country together. That includes a big section of ODM. That is what we are going to discuss,” Maanzo said.

The senator, however, said they will not name a candidate as they know what the government will do if they disclose the person this early.

However, a lawyer working with one of the opposition parties disclosed to the Star the technical team working on the coalition instruments had completed its work on proposing a suitable candidate.

“The principals will meet the technical team, which has been working on key coalition instruments, such as name, slogan and colours. All these issues will be discussed,” the lawyer said.

The meeting signals renewed efforts to consolidate forces against the ruling Kenya Kwanza alliance, coming on the backdrop of similar meetings by some of the individual political parties.

Rigathi Gachagua’s DCP, for instance, held a three-day retreat in the Coast to “review the year that was and plan ahead for the year”.

On Thursday, Karua met with PLP Nairobi county coordinators from all 85 wards for a party organisation and strategy meeting.

Democratic Party of Justin Muturi is planning its National Delegates Convention on January 28.

The leaders further announced they would visit to the IEBC on January 28.

“We intend to table critical matters of national concern that require urgent attention,” the dispatch added without much details.

But even without much details, the move comes amid sustained opposition pressure over the reconstitution and preparedness of the electoral commission and credibility of electoral processes.

Eugene has, for instance, declared the integrity of the 2027 elections is non-negotiable.

“Serious questions remain around the conduct of the IEBC, the role of CEO Hussein Marjan, and the unresolved concerns surrounding Smartmatic and election technology procurement,” Eugene said.

He said Kenyans deserve full transparency, accountability and fidelity to the constitution.

“We will not relent until what is right, lawful and just is done because the sovereignty of the people must always prevail,” Eugene said.

On the other hand, even as the opposition plans its next moves, President Ruto has been busy on the ground, convening a series of meetings under the Nyota programme.

The President has also transversed the country rolling out and inspecting development projects across the country.

While the government maintains that the Nyota engagements are part of the President’s development agenda, focused on youth empowerment, job creation and economic transformation, the scale, frequency and political messaging point to early groundwork for the 2027 re-election campaign.

In recent weeks, Ruto has met grassroots leaders, youth groups, business representatives and regional delegations, using the forums to defend his administration’s record.

This week, the President was back in the vote-rich Mt Kenya region, rolling out Nyota project in Embu, Meru and Tharaka Nithi counties.

He is also slated to tour Nyandarua, where he is expected to launch more projects.

The President has also used development launches and project inspections to showcase government’s deliverables in housing, markets, roads and social programmes.

Ruto’s allies insist there is nothing unusual about the President engaging citizens and overseeing development.

“The President was elected to work, and work is exactly what he is doing. Development does not stop because elections are approaching. We should first work, then lets politic later,” Mathira MP Eric Wamumbi said.