Opposition heavyweights have stepped up pressure on President William Ruto and his key regional allies in a series of charged back-to-back rallies that could unsettle the ruling coalition.
Coming just days after a dramatic split of ODM — a key UDA partner in government — the opposition has taken the anti-Ruto campaign directly to the grassroots in what appears to be a new, coordinated strategy.
The team, led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, has not only trained its guns on the President but is also aggressively targeting his regional allies in what insiders describe as early electoral positioning.
The circuit began in Narok, Bomet, Kisii and Nyamira and heads to Nakuru county today for a two-day campaign blitz.
An itinerary obtained by the Star shows the leaders will address meetings in Maai Mahiu, Naivasha, Gilgil and Nakuru towns.
On Saturday, they are expected to pitch tent at Heshima, Mairo 6, Ahero, Mairo 10, Kabazi, Subukia and Nyahururu.
Gachagua had earlier promised a “fightback” after an incident in which his convoy was blocked en route to Nakuru, adding fuel to an already charged political atmosphere.
During their two-day campaign in the Gusii region, Ruto allies came under sustained political fire.
Legislators from the Mt Kenya region have similarly faced mounting pressure from the Gachagua wing.
Ruto’s allies, however, insist there is little to worry about.
Mwala MP Vincent Musau, popularly known as Kawaya, dismissed the rallies as mere spectacle.
“When you take a monkey and a goat to a market, people will come in big numbers to see the monkey, but they will pick the goat on their way home,” the Environment Committee chairman said.
“We are not worried at all. What are they offering to Kenyans apart from slogans? When the rubber meets the road, they will know Kenyans are enlightened. As they are holding rallies, we are busy working and that is what will make the difference when the vote is called.”
President Ruto has downplayed the opposition’s activism.
Speaking on Wednesday, he dismissed the Kalonzo-led team as lacking vision and accused them of theatrics and tribal rhetoric.
“Those going round the country criticising me with ‘kasongo’ and ‘one term’ slogans should go slow. We are yet to get into the 2027 duel. I will arm myself for it, and we will meet man to man,” Ruto said.
“They will come with their dramas and slogans, but I will come with affordable housing, economic revival and the education agenda. I have no time to answer them.”
The opposition has also attacked the President’s jobs plan, particularly the NYOTA Fund, arguing that such initiatives will not dilute what they describe as a growing “one-term agenda” against Ruto.
After Nakuru, the opposition caravan heads to Nyandarua and Nyeri before proceeding to Isiolo and Samburu.
In Nyandarua, they will attend a church service at Samata AIPCA before addressing stops in Shamata, Maili Nne and later Kiawara in Nyeri county.
Similar tours are being planned in other regions.
Indications by Senator Edwin Sifuna that he could align with the opposition axis, has further emboldened the team and intensified pressure on Ruto.
Kalonzo assured supporters the leaders would remain united.
“We, as the alternative government in waiting, shall remain united for you. We cannot gamble with your future or the future of our nation,” he said.
Matiang’i described the Gusii tour as more than symbolic.
“The massive turnout sent an unmistakable message across the nation that Gusii stands firm, awake and ready to shape the future of our country. The journey toward transformative leadership is now unstoppable. The momentum is building. The tide is turning. The future is calling and together, we shall answer it.”
For a coalition that until recently appeared fragmented and subdued, the sustained mobilisation marks a notable shift.
For months, the opposition grappled with long lulls, sporadic appearances and internal disagreements, particularly over how to pick a flag bearer and running mate.
Matiang’i’s push for what he termed a “scientific formula” to determine the ticket sparked heated exchanges, with some Kalonzo allies branding him a mole or a project.
The friction exposed the fragility of the coalition’s unity. Analysts say cohesion remains its biggest test.
“Their biggest hurdle is not crowds. It is trust and structure,” political commentator Prof Olang Sana of Maseno University said. “If they resolve the question of leadership early enough, they become formidable.”
Ruto's ground game
For much of his presidency, Ruto has outpaced rivals through relentless nationwide tours, crisscrossing counties to launch projects and spearhead empowerment drives.
In January alone, he toured 11 counties, while Kalonzo managed four — two of them in his Ukambani backyard.
This month, Ruto has visited Kisumu, Garissa, Mandera, Wajir, Isiolo and Kiambu counties. He also toured Kilifi, Mombasa and Kwale, while maintaining a heavy schedule at State House and across Nairobi constituencies.
Together with Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Kenya Kwanza leaders have mapped out a plan to cover as much ground as possible.
Political commentator Eric Okeyo argues the President cannot afford to ignore the opposition’s resurgence.
“Unless he is not a human being, all these moves should tell him there is a plan,” Okeyo said. “Politics is about perception and momentum. If the opposition sustains this energy, it changes the narrative.”
Adding intrigue are reports that the opposition is considering naming a presidential candidate from Luo Nyanza to consolidate votes and complicate Ruto’s strategy.
Siaya Governor James Orengo, who has increasingly distanced himself from the pro-Ruto broad-based cooperation framework, is being floated as a possible option.
Analysts say such a move would divide the Luo Nyanza vote block, a region seen to be increasingly gravitating towards Ruto.
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