People Liberation Party leader Martha Karua has inadvertently exposed the intense behind-the-scenes battle in the united opposition over who will lead the alliance into the 2027 polls.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Karua sought to calm growing speculation over the coalition's presidential ticket, insisting no agreement had been reached on the process, criteria or timeline for selecting the opposition's flag bearer.
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Her clarification, however, has laid bare widening differences among coalition principals and their allies over not only the presidential flagbearer, but also when the candidate should be unveiled, how the selection should be conducted and how power should be shared among the increasingly crowded opposition ranks.
"While our coalition continues to grow in strength and public confidence, we have not yet concluded the process of establishing the formal structures, governance framework, and rules that will guide our engagement,” Karua said.
Karua, the coalition co-convenor, however, disclosed a technical committee chaired by former Cabinet minister Kipruto arap Kirwa had completed proposals on formalising the coalition and was expected to present its recommendations at an upcoming retreat of coalition principals.
While the statement appeared carefully crafted to restore order after a series of public declarations by senior opposition figures, it revealed competing interests.
One of the clearest fault lines is the timing of naming the joint presidential candidate.
DP leader Justin Muturi has argued that delaying the announcement only benefits President William Ruto.
Muturi on Sunday endorsed Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka as his preferred presidential candidate, if he was not selected.
"If I'm not selected as the presidential candidate, the only other principal in the united opposition I can support is Kalonzo. Let's stop beating around the bush," Muturi declared.
Muturi has also voiced frustration over the coalition's inability to convene regular meetings to settle outstanding issues.
"It has become increasingly difficult for us to meet as the opposition. The last time we were to meet was just before Rigathi Gachagua’s impeachment case judgment. It seems we are planning to lose in 2027," he said.
His position mirrors growing calls within sections of the coalition for an early declaration of a joint candidate to allow sufficient time to campaign as a united front against Ruto.
Karua's statement, however, appeared to directly counter such pressure.
While acknowledging that coalition principals were entitled to express personal preferences, she stressed that choosing a presidential candidate remained "one of the most consequential decisions" the alliance would make and thus had to await agreed structures.
"It is therefore a matter that must be determined collectively, through an agreed consultative framework and established coalition structures."
Political observers say Karua's intervention reflects disagreements in the camp.
University don Dr Charles Ng’ang’a warned that while Karua and Muturi don’t have much influence in their backyards, they could use their presence to amplify their relevance and shore up their national presence — but destroy the camp
“I honestly don’t think they are consequential. Karua may not even be able to deliver at home, and Muturi failed to deliver an MP seat in his backyard. This is despite him serving as CS, Attorney General and Speaker”.
“But for their political survival and relevance you will keep seeing this”.
However, Ng’ang’a added that the rise of Sifuna was likely to disrupt the united opposition.
“A few weeks ago, we were hearing of a possible Kalonzo-Sifuna ticket. But now, I think it is about Sifuna accommodating the united Ooposition given his popularity rise,” he said.
Eala MP Kanini Kega, a close ally of Gachagua, argues the DCP boss remains the force to reckon with. He adds that Gachagua is seeking to establish the best way to consolidate and form an unstoppable movement.
He, however, downplayed any possible fallout, saying Gachagua is ready to sacrifice his ambitions.
“He has declared he is willing to sacrifice to have Ruto as one-term president”.
Another disagreement has emerged over how the eventual candidate should be identified.
Jubilee deputy party leader Jeremiah Kioni has said the opposition has to work through a framework — a party or alliance.
"There is no agreed upon formula that I am aware of. The one they have been talking about sitting in a boardroom, that will not work."
Kioni further suggested that distinct camps had already begun forming within the coalition around different presidential hopefuls.
"Muturi attempted to say what he thinks they have agreed. Gachagua has settled on Kalonzo. That's true. It is not a secret. Gachagua, Muturi, Wamalwa are in that axis."
"Matiang'i, Kioni and others are in this other axis."
Rather than relying on elite negotiations, Kioni argues that the coalition should adopt a more open process capable of reflecting public opinion.
"Take this thing to the people. Don't try and do it in the boardroom. Kenyans already have a candidate in mind. If you give the wrong person, 10 million voters will stay home."
Beyond the presidential contest, another struggle is emerging over regional representation within the opposition hierarchy.
DCP deputy party leader Cleophas Malala — who should essentially be backing his party leader Gachagua — has insisted that the coalition must allocate one of its top two positions to Western Kenya, warning that anything less would be unacceptable to the region.
"United opposition must give Sifuna. If they don't give it to him and Natembeya, Eugene Wamalwa and Malala have not been given any of the top two seats, we cannot support that ticket," Malala said during an interview with a Western Kenya radio station.
The former Kakamega senator argued that every region was aggressively negotiating for its interests.
"The same way Rigathi defends Mt Kenya people is also good for him to know that I will defend the Mulembe people."
Malala declared his support for Sifuna to either head the coalition ticket or deputise its presidential candidate.
"I have given him my blessings to become Deputy President or President."
His remarks come amid shifting and fluid political development in Western Kenya.
Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has distanced himself from Eugene Wamalwa's DAP-K, while gravitating towards the Linda Mwananchi under Sifuna.
The developments have introduced another layer of complexity into coalition talks, with Linda Mwananchi simultaneously pursuing closer cooperation with the broader United Opposition, even as one of its key supporters appears to be breaking ranks with a coalition principal.
Jubilee deputy organising secretary Pauline Njoroge has also publicly backed Sifuna, portraying him as the face of a new generation capable of energising young voters who stayed away from the ballot in 2022.
"Edwin Sifuna is more than a presidential candidate. He embodies the hopes and aspirations of millions of Kenyans who in the previous election felt unheard and unrepresented. Whether as the flag bearer or as part of the presidential ticket, his presence fundamentally changes the political equation," she said in statement.
Njoroge, who has aligned with Linda Mwananchi, added that having Sifuna in the opposition line-up would help in enhancing voter turnout.
“In the 2022 elections, about 8 million registered Kenyan voters did not turn up to vote because for many of them, there simply wasn’t a candidate who inspired them.
“The millions who stayed away from the ballot in 2022, most of them young people will also come out in 2027 because at last, they have found the kind of leadership they have been yearning for,” she added.
When the Star reached out to her, she said “it is now the time for the young generation”.
Notably, Njoroge had earlier urged Kalonzo and Sifuna to offer direction.
The public declarations illustrate the delicate balancing act confronting opposition leaders as they seek to weld together multiple political parties, regional kingpins and presidential hopefuls into a single presidential machine.
The coalition's planned principals' retreat, where the Kirwa committee is expected to table recommendations, is therefore likely to become one of the most consequential meetings for Kenya's opposition ahead of 2027.
