Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua (left), Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper) and Eugene Wamalwa (DAP-K) during a past event/COURTESYDAP-Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa has drawn parallels between Kenya’s opposition politics of the early 2000s and the emerging alliance of opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general election.
Wamalwa said the current opposition movement, which brings together more than 10 political parties, could develop into a political force similar to the National Rainbow Coalition (NARC) that defeated Kanu in the 2002 general election.
He recalled how his late brother, former Vice President Michael Wamalwa Kijana, worked with former President Mwai Kibaki and former Cabinet minister Charity Ngilu in 2001 to establish the National Alliance of Kenya (NAK).
The three were later joined by former prime minister Raila Odinga, former Vice President George Saitoti, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, former Vice President Moody Awori and other leaders who had left President Daniel arap Moi’s government.
Wamalwa said their collaboration eventually gave rise to NARC, which ended Kanu’s four-decade rule and ushered Kibaki into power in 2002.
“In 2001 my late brother Mike started a journey with two friends, one from the Mt Kenya region called Mwai Kibaki and another one from the Eastern region called Charity Ngilu, and they formed the National Alliance of Kenya,” Wamalwa said.
“The three were joined by the late Raila Odinga, the late Professor George Saitoti, Kalonzo Musyoka, Mzee Moody Awori among other luminaries of the LDP-Rainbow team who left Moi’s Government of National Unity.”
Wamalwa said the opposition’s current “WANTAM” journey began on January 27, 2025, when he and Musyoka received former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua into the opposition after his impeachment.
He said Gachagua’s entry into the opposition at DAP-Kenya headquarters in Karen, Nairobi, marked the beginning of a movement that has since expanded.
“Over one year later, the WANTAM journey has grown into a powerful movement of over ten opposition parties,” he said.
He listed the parties as the People’s Liberation Party, DCP, Wiper Patriotic Front, DAP-K, Jubilee, Democratic Party, MBAS, People’s Democratic Party, NARC and Kanu.
Wamalwa said the movement could soon resemble the NARC coalition if more parties and political formations join the opposition.
He pointed to the Linda Mwananchi faction of ODM, saying its reported move to establish a political party and join the opposition could further reshape the political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections.
“Is history about to repeat itself?” Wamalwa posed.
He made the remarks while announcing plans to commemorate the political legacy of his late brother in Kitale, Trans Nzoia County, on August 23.
The former VP will be remembered through a memorial event that will include the launch of a book documenting his political journey.
Wamalwa said leaders associated with the United Alternative Government will also undertake a two-day tour of Western Kenya from August 21 to 22, covering Busia, Kakamega, Vihiga and Bungoma counties before concluding in Trans Nzoia.
He said he had invited his political allies, including Musyoka and Gachagua, as well as other Kenyans, to join the family in honouring Michael Wamalwa.
The event is expected to provide an opportunity for opposition leaders to reflect on Wamalwa’s political legacy while also taking stock of the emerging political realignments ahead of 2027.
