Implosion in United Opposition as mole claims, leadership feuds deepen

Fresh cracks have emerged in the United Opposition, with senior figures trading accusations of betrayal and questioning each other’s suitability to lead in a widening fallout that now threatens to fracture the coalition ahead of the 2027 elections.

The latest tensions have exposed deep-seated mistrust among key players, with one faction alleging infiltration by State operatives, while another openly casts doubt on the leadership credentials of colleagues angling to challenge President William Ruto.

On Saturday, DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua and Wiper boss Kalonzo Musyoka claimed that President Ruto’s allies had planted moles in the opposition ranks to sow division and weaken the outfit from within.

The allegations, which could not be independently verified, have heightened suspicion in the coalition, raising fears of a coordinated attempt to destabilise the alliance before it fully consolidates.

Speaking in Mombasa, Kalonzo claimed the President was orchestrating a divide-and-rule strategy aimed at crippling the opposition ahead of the next General Election.

“We have seen the President working around the clock to divide his opponents to his advantage, but we are urging him to prepare for a contest next year,” Kalonzo claimed.

He further claimed that even ODM was not immune to the alleged scheme, suggesting sections in the party had succumbed to external pressure.

“President Ruto is determined to obliterate any member of ODM, and I can tell you I understand the mind of our brother Raila Odinga,” he claimed.

"Unfortunately, some sections of that party have agreed to be completely decimated, but the opposition is coming stronger than ever."

In a sign of growing internal friction, People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua appeared to take a swipe at some of her colleagues in the opposition, warning against replacing one failed leadership with another under a different guise.

In a post on her X account, Karua urged Kenyans to demand integrity and competence from those seeking power, in remarks widely interpreted as targeting emerging rival ambitions in the coalition.

“We must remove this regime and refuse to replace it with the same failure wearing a different face,” she posted, “A new Kenya demands service-led leaders.”

Karua’s remarks underline simmering tensions over leadership in the United Opposition, where multiple figures are quietly positioning themselves for a possible presidential ticket even as the coalition publicly projects unity.

The alliance includes Karua’s PLP, Gachagua’s DCP, Kalonzo’s Wiper, Justin Muturi’s Democratic Party, Jubilee and Eugene Wamalwa’s DAP-K.

Recent developments suggest coordination in the outfit is increasingly strained.

Questions have been raised over the conspicuous absence of Karua and former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i from recent opposition activities, including a two-day tour of Kitui county last week and weekend engagements in Mombasa.

Karua has instead embarked on parallel mobilisation efforts, pitching camp in Kirinyaga and Nyeri counties to popularise her rebranded party, further fuelling speculation of a rift in the coalition.

Similarly, Party of National Unity leader Peter Munya has largely kept away from joint opposition events, opting to focus on strengthening his party’s grassroots structures.

Further signs of discord have emerged ahead of the upcoming Ol Kalou by-election, where Gachagua’s DCP has announced plans to field a candidate against a Jubilee Party contender.

The seat fell vacant following the death of Njuguna Kiaraho, who had been elected on a Jubilee ticket.

The decision marks a departure from earlier cooperation among opposition partners, who had previously backed a single candidate in the Mbeere North by-election to avoid splitting votes.

Observers say the move signals growing competition for regional dominance, particularly in the Mt Kenya region, where several opposition figures are seeking to consolidate influence ahead of 2027.

On Sunday, Gachagua’s party invited aspirants interested in the Ol Kalou seat to apply, describing the contest as “friendly fire” in the coalition.

“We have no opposition in Ol Kalou. UDA is finished, and that is why we have decided that each constituent party in the United Opposition will field a candidate and compete among ourselves,” Gachagua said. “It will be friendly fire; UDA is not a threat in any way.”

But Jubilee allies have pushed back, warning that such a strategy risks weakening the coalition and handing an advantage to the ruling party.

Former Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu claimed Gachagua is undermining partners and attempting to edge out Jubilee from the region’s political landscape.

“Gachagua wants Jubilee dead, buried and forgotten. He cannot allow it to win the Ol Kalou seat back. He would rather UDA take it,” Ngunjiri claimed.

“He knows that Jubilee is the only party that can challenge his outfit in Mt Kenya and beat him.”

With rival camps digging in and mistrust deepening, analysts warn that the opposition risks entering the 2027 race fragmented, potentially undermining its ability to mount a formidable challenge against President Ruto.