Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has challenged opposition leaders to stop issuing threats of a united presidential front against President William Ruto and instead name their preferred candidate ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Duale dared the opposition principals to settle on a single flag bearer immediately, saying the ruling coalition was ready to face any challenger at the ballot.
He maintained that President Ruto's re-election bid was not threatened by the opposition's plans to unite, insisting that the broad-based government had already consolidated its political support across the country.
Speaking in Masalani town, Ijara Constituency, during a women empowerment funds drive, Duale said the government had the numbers, a development record and grassroots support to secure another presidential victory.
"We dare our competitors to stop intimidating us with threats of producing a single presidential candidate. Let them name their flag bearer tomorrow, and we will meet them at the ballot," he said.
Duale dismissed the opposition's ongoing negotiations over a joint presidential candidate, arguing that the ruling coalition had sufficient political backing to win the next election.
"We have the numbers, we have the track record, and we have the people behind us," he said.
The CS also invoked the political support garnered by President Ruto and the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in the 2022 General Election, claiming their combined votes would give the broad-based administration an advantage in the next polls.
"With the votes of the late Baba Raila Odinga and those of President William Ruto in the last General Election, we will win the next election early in the morning with 18 million votes," Duale said.
His remarks come amid growing efforts by opposition leaders to form a united political front against Ruto, with the question of who should fly their presidential flag emerging as a major point of disagreement.
Although opposition principals have publicly committed to working together, differences have emerged over when and how to select their joint candidate.
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka's camp is reportedly pushing for the candidate to be identified as early as December, arguing that an early announcement would give the flag bearer enough time to mobilise resources, consolidate national support and establish international networks ahead of the August 10, 2027 General Election.
However, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and his allies favour delaying the public announcement until about five months before the elections.
They argue that unveiling the candidate too early could expose the opposition to political pressure, alleged state intimidation and attempts to weaken the alliance by enticing disgruntled members.
Gachagua has maintained that opposition leaders should first concentrate on mobilising their respective support bases and building a formidable political movement before settling on a presidential candidate.
He has also argued that an early announcement would give Ruto's camp sufficient time to devise strategies to weaken the emerging alliance.
The disagreement comes as several opposition leaders position themselves for the country's top seat, complicating efforts to agree on a single candidate.
Those who have expressed interest in succeeding Ruto include Kalonzo, Gachagua, former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i, People's Liberation Party leader Martha Karua, Democratic Action Party of Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.
Others in the wider opposition political landscape include Democratic Party leader Justin Muturi, former Chief Justice David Maraga and Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro.
