United Opposition says single candidate deal near ahead of 2027 showdown

Leaders of the United Opposition on Monday declared they are on the verge of agreeing on a single presidential candidate to challenge President William Ruto in the next General Election.

The leaders, speaking during a three-day tour of the Gusii region, vowed to present a united front and avoid divisions that could hand the incumbent an advantage.

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua expressed confidence that consensus within the coalition would be reached soon.

“This time, we are putting Kenya first and rallying behind one strong candidate. We shall not disappoint you,” Gachagua told supporters at Ekerenyo in Nyamira County, the team’s first stop on the tour.

The opposition team includes former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, former Meru Governor Peter Munya and Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya.

Gachagua said the coalition’s primary objective is to unseat President Ruto, arguing that the current administration has failed Kenyans across multiple sectors of the economy.

Kalonzo claimed the President was facing growing rejection even in his Rift Valley backyard, a region long considered his political stronghold.

“Even the President has been rejected by his own people in the Rift Valley,” Kalonzo asserted, citing what he described as mounting economic pressures and dissatisfaction over the rising cost of living.

He said the team had received a warm reception in Bomet and Kaplong en route to Nyamira, describing it as a sign of shifting political tides ahead of the 2027 contest.

“The opposition is ready to offer alternative leadership focused on economic recovery and inclusive governance,” he said.

Matiang’i used the platform to condemn what he termed organised attempts to disrupt his engagements in the region. Without naming the individual, he accused a Kisii-based politician of mobilising youths to interfere with United Opposition rallies.

“We shall not be intimidated by acts of cowardice,” Matiang’i said. “Do not use young people to cause chaos.”

Chaos was reported in Kisii town for the better part of Monday as groups of youths armed with sticks and crude weapons reportedly attempted to take control of sections of the central business district ahead of the opposition team’s arrival. The groups were later dispersed.

Gachagua criticised the Kisii governor for allegedly appointing himself a community spokesman, declaring that Matiang’i would now serve as the region’s official political voice.

“From today, the official spokesman is Dr Matiang’i,” he told supporters.

Munya described Matiang’i as a results-driven leader, crediting him with spearheading reforms in education, security and public administration during his tenure in government.

“Matiang’i was not afraid to make tough calls. He was firm and focused on implementation,” Munya said.

Natembeya, on his part, accused the Kenya Kwanza administration of undermining the quality of education through what he termed rushed and poorly structured reforms.

“The future of our children cannot be subjected to experiments,” he said, adding that schools and teachers were bearing the brunt of policy inconsistencies.

Governors Simba Arati (Kisii) and Amos Nyaribo (Nyamira) did not attend the event, while Members of Parliament allied to the ruling United Democratic Alliance were also absent.

In Nyamira, Matiang’i was symbolically installed as a community elder and spokesman, underscoring his growing political clout in the Gusii region as the opposition seeks to consolidate support ahead of the next electoral cycle.