The united opposition leaders have quietly shifted strategy in their campaign against President William Ruto, abandoning the joint rallies that once projected unity.
Instead, the team now appears to favour parallel rallies aimed at consolidating their individual political bases ahead of the election.
The new approach marks a departure from the joint appearances that characterised the early days of the opposition alliance, during which leaders regularly shared platforms to rally supporters against the Kenya Kwanza administration.
The strategy also came at a time when DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua warned that every opposition leader must go out to look for votes and not wait for boardroom endorsement.
“Let everyone sell his or her party; there will be nothing like being given a position; everyone must work hard,” Gachagua said in a video that has since gone viral.
“Don’t be cheated, we will not sit somewhere and dish out the positions. Everyone must work for it, like we do here day and night.”
Political commentator Prof Gitile Naituli said the individual campaigns are more of a strategy and have nothing to do with tension within the united opposition.
“It is a new strategy, the idea is to block Ruto everywhere so he doesn’t get the 25 per cent threshold required in half the counties,” he told the Star.
In recent weeks, however, each principal has increasingly concentrated on his traditional strongholds while pursuing targeted political engagements in neighbouring regions.
The regional mobilisation also came amid heightened competition for influence in key voting blocs, with every opposition principal keen to demonstrate political strength and bargaining power ahead of any future coalition arrangements.
Of late, Gachagua has largely been conducting solo engagements in Mt Kenya.
The former Deputy President has held rallies in Meru, Nyeri and Nyandarua as he seeks to tighten his grip on the vote-rich bloc.
At the same time, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has pitched camp in his Ukambani backyard, with additional political stops in Kajiado and Embu as he works to strengthen his influence beyond his traditional support base.
Kalonzo, who is now the party leader of Azimio, will also be meeting this week mainly with Linda Mwananchi and Jubilee Party.
The meeting will be chaired by retired President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i is also expected to embark on a three-day political tour of Western Kenya, a visit that comes just days after the Linda Mwananchi movement held a series of activities in the region in an apparent contest for influence.
DP leader Justin Muturi has also been to Laikipia, among other areas, to strengthen the party’s structures and reconnect with people at the grassroots.
Matiang’i is also expected to camp in Nyanza for two days starting on Wednesday this week.
Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka confirmed the visit to former Raila Odinga’s Migori backyard.
“Matiang’i heads to Migori county this Wednesday and Thursday,” he said.
According to Onyonka, the former CS will be in Kuria West on Wednesday and Kuria East the following day.
Also on the campaign trail is DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa, who has announced plans for another round of major opposition rallies in his Western Kenya backyard from 23 August.
He said the team will start with a commemoration of Kijana Wamalwa in Kitale on August 23 before holding a series of rallies in Trans Nzoia, Kakamega, Bungoma and Busia counties.
The separate tours have fuelled speculation that opposition chiefs are now prioritising consolidation of their regional bases before returning to a united national campaign later in the election cycle.
Machakos Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi told the Star the strategy is to have all opposition leaders lock their various bases from any infiltration by President William Ruto.
Despite the shift in approach, he maintained the leaders remain committed to working together against Ruto, insisting the individual tours should not be interpreted as cracks within the alliance.
“We agreed that we must all lock our bases, then when we come together we form a solid team that will send Ruto home,” Mwangangi told the Star.
Political observers argue that the strategy allows each leader to deepen grassroots structures and test support ahead of negotiations.
Instant analysis
The development sets the stage for intensified political activity across the country as both the opposition and the Kenya Kwanza administration step up early campaigns, with regional dominance expected to play a crucial role in shaping alliances and negotiations ahead of the 2027 presidential contest.
