Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko’s threat to convince Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka to join President William Ruto’s camp if he's not picked the Opposition’s presidential flagbearer for 2027 has raised fresh questions about the unity of the Opposition and the Akamba community.

Sonko made the remarks on Thursday during an interview with a local television station, arguing that Kalonzo deserved to be the Opposition’s presidential flagbearer after repeatedly shelving his presidential ambitions in favour of the late Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga.

“Kalonzo must be the opposition’s presidential flag bearer. The negotiations we are going to have are meant to represent all Kenyans; we are not betrayers,” Sonko said.

“Kalonzo has sacrificed his presidential ambitions for Raila three times. This time, he must be the flag bearer. If Kalonzo is not given the presidential ticket, then he should go to Ruto and become his deputy. We do not want to keep being taken for granted every time,” he added.

The remarks have introduced another layer of complication into the Opposition’s ongoing coalition negotiations, with Sonko making it clear that Kalonzo’s presidential ambitions should be considered in determining the coalition’s leadership.

They also come amid concerted efforts by influential Akamba politicians to unite the community and establish a common political position ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The unification initiative is being spearheaded by Parliamentary Service Commissioner Johnson Muthama, a former Kangundo MP, who has embarked on high-level engagements with prominent leaders from the region.

Muthama has held discussions with Kalonzo and Sonko, who also leads the National Economic Development Party (NEDP), as part of efforts to bring together influential Akamba politicians.

Although the leaders have not publicly disclosed the details of their deliberations, reports indicate that Muthama is seeking to consolidate the community’s political leadership and strengthen its bargaining position ahead of the next general election.

Sonko has also been at the forefront of efforts to unite Akamba leaders and the wider community.

On Tuesday, November 10, Muthama met Sonko in another engagement aimed at advancing the unity initiative. The meeting also involved Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua.

The leaders did not disclose the details of their discussions, but reports indicated that Akamba unity was the central agenda.

In a brief statement following the meeting, Mutua underscored the importance of a common approach, saying: “Unity of purpose.”

However, Sonko’s latest remarks have raised questions about whether the regional initiative can withstand competing political interests, particularly as the Opposition continues to negotiate its presidential candidature and coalition arrangements.

The absence of former Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu from the ongoing regional consultations has also attracted attention, raising questions about the inclusivity and ultimate objective of the initiative.

Ngilu is among the prominent political figures from Ukambani, having served as Kitui Governor between 2017 and 2022 and as a Cabinet Secretary in the administration of former President Uhuru Kenyatta.

She did not defend her gubernatorial seat in the 2022 General Election, instead joining the national presidential campaigns of the late Raila Odinga, who was seeking to succeed Uhuru.

After Raila failed to clinch the presidency, Ngilu began positioning herself for a political comeback and is now angling to contest the Kitui governorship on a National Rainbow Coalition (NARC) party ticket.

Her absence from Muthama’s engagements has raised questions about whether all influential Akamba politicians are being brought on board in the proposed regional unity arrangement.

Ngilu has, however, been holding separate consultations with other Opposition leaders.

On November 3, she met Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua at his Wamunyoro residence in Nyeri County as opposition leaders continued consultations on building a united political alliance ahead of the 2027 elections.

The discussions focused on lessons from the formation of NARC, which brought together opposition leaders and ended KANU’s 24-year rule in 2002.

In a statement after the meeting, Gachagua described Ngilu as the “Iron Lady of Kenyan politics” and credited her with playing a central role in shaping the NARC political strategy alongside former President Mwai Kibaki and the late Michael Kijana Wamalwa.

He said he benefited from Ngilu’s experience as she explained how the coalition was negotiated, organised and eventually translated into an electoral victory.

“This morning, I benefited greatly from Hon. Ngilu’s wisdom as she took me through how NARC was crafted and implemented,” Gachagua said.

He added that Ngilu shared strategies and insights that could guide the current Opposition in its efforts to challenge the Kenya Kwanza administration in the next general election.

According to Gachagua, their discussions also explored what opposition leaders needed to do to address corruption and impunity and steer the country towards prosperity.

“The lessons I have learnt will be very instrumental. I assure the Kenyan people that I am more knowledgeable and I can clearly see light at the end of the tunnel,” he said.

Gachagua likened the ongoing Opposition engagements to the political realignment that preceded the 2002 General Election, when several opposition parties united behind Kibaki to challenge then President Daniel arap Moi’s preferred successor, Uhuru Kenyatta.

He said the Opposition was working towards identifying a single presidential candidate to face the ruling coalition in 2027.

“We have a 2002 moment, and our promise is that we shall identify one presidential candidate who will win by a landslide,” Gachagua said.

However, Machakos-based political analyst Kitheka Wambua warned that Sonko’s remarks could complicate both the Opposition’s coalition negotiations and the ongoing efforts to unite the Akamba community.

“Is Sonko on his own? Is he speaking his mind or he could be speaking on behalf of Kalonzo that, if he is not made the Opposition’s presidential flag-bearer, he is going to cross over to President Ruto? These are the questions and fears that the Opposition should pose. They are grave remarks, which if not taken lightly, could scuttle the Opposition’s unity and efforts to unite the Akamba,” said Wambua.