The United Opposition leaders after their meeting, Nairobi, on Tuesday, August 9. Photo/Rigathi Gachagua/Facebook
By Newsflash Writer
Opposition leaders under the United Opposition have renewed their commitment to remain united and field a single presidential candidate to challenge President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election.
The leaders met on Tuesday to assess the progress of their opposition alliance and discuss strategies for the remaining year before Kenyans head to the polls.
The meeting came amid growing pressure on the opposition parties to agree on one presidential flag-bearer capable of mounting a formidable challenge against President Ruto.
The meeting brought together Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua, Democratic Party (DP) leader Justin Muturi, PNU leader Peter Munya, DEP leader Lenny Kivuti, Jubilee Deputy Party Leader Fred Matiang’i, DAP-Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa, PLP leader Martha Karua and Nyali MP Mohamed Ali, who represented Wiper Patriotic Front (WPF) leader Kalonzo Musyoka.
The leaders’ meeting also came days after apparent disagreements emerged between Gachagua and Muturi, Munya and Kivuti, with the three accusing the former Deputy President of being “bossy”.
The disagreement followed remarks attributed to Gachagua suggesting that smaller parties within the opposition coalition should fold and join his DCP. Gachagua later said he had been misquoted.
Leaders renew unity pledge
In a statement after Tuesday’s meeting, Gachagua said the opposition leaders remained committed to working together and presenting Kenyans with one presidential candidate.
Gachagua, who also gave an assessment of President Ruto’s four years in office, declared that the opposition would remain united in its quest to remove the Kenya Kwanza administration from power.
“WANTAM is real and will happen one year from today,” Gachagua said.
Read more: Muturi, Kivuti & Munya reject Gachagua’s call to dissolve parties, join DCP
He added: “The leaders in the United Alternative Government are committed that we MUST and we SHALL present to the people of Kenya one Presidential candidate through whatever formulae.”
The former Deputy President said the leaders had renewed their commitment to unity despite the differences that have emerged within the opposition ranks.
“One year to the 2027 General Election, we met this afternoon and renewed our commitment that no matter what, we shall have one single presidential candidate to send Mr. William Ruto home and restore our country and the dignity of Kenyans,” he said.
Gachagua also praised Karua for her role in keeping the opposition leaders together, describing her as the “mother of our liberation”.
“Thank you my sister the Iron Lady Hon. Martha Karua for being the mother of our liberation and always bringing us together,” he said.
The renewed unity pledge comes as opposition leaders face the delicate task of agreeing on a single presidential candidate, with several senior figures expected to have ambitions for the top seat.
The opposition will also have to manage competing party interests and regional considerations as it seeks to build a broad coalition ahead of the 2027 election.
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