Former Minister Mukhisa Kituyi has lifted the lid on the headache opposition bigwigs face in their bid to unite and field a single candidate against President William Ruto.

Kituyi, who had been appointed united opposition spokesman and head of secretariat, spoke after quitting the job and joining Linda Mwananchi.

He said plans to establish a joint secretariat for the team aborted even after they paid a deposit for a property.

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“When I was designated spokesperson of the opposition and head of secretariat, I set about trying to establish a secretariat. So I looked around several properties, trying to set up offices. I even brought some furniture I used to have in my own political party and availed it for that purpose,” Kituyi said on Citizen TV.

“But all the constituent parties of the united opposition preferred to run their business at their party secretariats and have press conferences at their party secretariats. So this effort failed. Even after we had paid a deposit on the property, we had to abandon that as an idea, or defer it indefinitely.”

The former UNCTAD secretary general said the opposition principals have been unable to establish structures, develop a manifesto and settle on a formidable line-up to face the President.

“When we discuss issues to take a common position, it has been very difficult to have everybody sign up to a common position,” he said.

“You have much more comfort in individual solo press conferences or occasionally two or three pluralities issuing a statement together than any attempt to have a common shared statement.”

According to Kituyi, only Jubilee's Fred Matiang'i, PLP's Martha Karua and Siaya Governor James Orengo have been enthusiastic about developing alternative policy ideas to rival Ruto.

“Some people, particularly Matiang’i, Karua and Orengo have been very, very positive about this… others not so enthusiastic,” he stated.

The behind-the-scenes intrigues emerged with only 333 days to the election.

But when contacted for comment, allies of the opposition leaders dismissed the claims as untrue, insisting their unity is unquestionable.

“These are state propaganda. We are united, and we are telling Ruto to prepare to face one candidate. We clearly know the dangers of disunity,” Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo told the Star.

Gatanga MP Edward Muriu said the opposition's decision to delay the unveiling of its candidate or formalisation of its coalition should not be deemed disunity.

“At the right time, everything will fall into place. Our promise to Kenyans is one. We will produce one candidate to face Ruto,” he stated.

On Thursday, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna held separate meetings with Matiang'i and Kalonzo Musyoka of Wiper in what is seen as a spirited bid to actualise unity.

Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, who spoke after the Matiang'i meeting, described it as part of consultations within the wider opposition.

“We are talking about one term plus positive change. And this conversation will be going on, not just with the people who are here, but with other leaders within the opposition. We are confident that we are making progress,” Osotsi said.

The meeting was also attended by Orengo and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino.

Political analyst Dismus Mokua, however, poured cold water on the opposition unity bid.

“The probability of opposition unity operating under the united alternative government is 50 per cent because of principals’ individual and selfish political ambitions and the unresolved candidate selection criteria,” he said.

The revelations came in the wake of sharp divisions within the united opposition bloc over who should fly the opposition flag, when to unveil the candidate and when to formalise the coalition.

There have also been accusations of arrogance, bullying and hidden political agendas spilling into the open.

Each camp is pulling strings to its own end, while some principals are warning they will not support certain leaders if they emerge as the coalition's presidential candidate.

Besides undermining their chances of unseating Ruto, the infighting and failing unity bid are likely to undermine their campaigns and the mobilisation of resources under one pool.

“There are still fundamental problems with what the architecture of unity is. There is a unanimous agreement on the importance of unity, but I don’t think there is agreement on the building blocks of that unity,” Kituyi said.

“That is something that is not very pleasant, but it is a reality that we have to deal with because the challenge before us is much bigger.”

Kituyi revealed how the secretariat and the think-tank he was picked to lead hit the ground running, only for the process to stall.

“We did some significant research. Behind the stage, I have been doing a lot of work with Prof Gitile Naituli, Kipruto arap Kirwa and others. But if you do not have urgency in receiving that, then we can grow it elsewhere,” he said.

The united opposition team is made up of former Deputy President and DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua, Jubilee deputy party leader Matiang'i, Kalonzo and DAP-Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa.

Others are Karua, Democratic Party leader Justin Muturi and Sifuna of the Linda Mwananchi movement. All are eyeing the presidency.

Last month, Party of National Unity leader Peter Munya declared he would not support Gachagua if he is picked as the joint opposition candidate. He described the former Deputy President as a bully.

“I'm hoping Gachagua is not a presidential candidate because I would not support that kind of person to run the country,” he said.

Munya argued that Gachagua's leadership style mirrors the current regime that the opposition wants to remove from power.

“Those dictatorial tendencies are the same ones we are saying we don't want in the current government,” he said.

Gachagua and his allies have dismissed the criticism and accused the other principals of being lazy. They insist the opposition candidate should be chosen based on political strength.

According to Gachagua, the coalition must first consolidate its support. Only then should it discuss the presidential ticket.

“How do you choose a candidate before you consolidate? We also need to look at the level of consolidation. What are your numbers?” he asked.

The principals have also disagreed over when to unveil the candidate.

Kalonzo, Karua, Muturi and Eugene want the coalition to announce its candidate early. They argue that an early decision would give clarity, unite supporters and avoid last-minute confusion.

Muturi has warned that delaying the decision could trigger a repeat of the events of 2002, when Kanu struggled to contain internal divisions.

“Waiting till the tail end could be disastrous. There might be no time to control the damage from the fallout,” Muturi said.

“I hope I will convince my colleagues. I do not believe naming a candidate early will make Ruto target that person. He should focus on him.”

Some opposition leaders have also accused their colleagues of secretly working with the state. Others believe some principals are pursuing personal interests instead of opposition unity.

Gachagua's allies have openly questioned Matiang'i's commitment to the coalition. They claim he is being used to weaken the former Deputy President.

“They want to go to Ruto. That is where they are headed. If you touch Gachagua, we will deal with you,” Kiambu Senator Karungo Thang'wah said in remarks widely seen as directed at Matiang'i.

The claims came amid reports Ruto's allies have quietly reached out to Matiang'i, trying to persuade him to join the broad-based government.

Kajiado North MP Onesmus Ngogoyo has also accused Matiang'i of aggressively pushing his presidential bid.

“Matiang'i thinks he must be president. We do not have any agreement to make him president,” Ngogoyo said.

Matiang'i's camp hit back, with Kitutu Chache South MP Antony Kibagendi accusing Gachagua of undermining opposition unity through arrogance and intimidation.

“I would like to tell Gachagua that you are the biggest impediment to opposition unity. Stop arrogance. Stop belittling other opposition leaders. You are bullying your colleagues,” Kibagendi said.