Wamalwa: Ruto making overtures to opposition leaders

By Newsflash Team

Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa has accused President William Ruto of persistently reaching out to opposition leaders in an effort to weaken their coalition.

Wamalwa says that Ruto has been reaching out to them despite signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ODM leader Raila Odinga.

“Yes, we are aware of the overtures, but I can tell you that we shall not fall for that,” Wamalwa stated.

“The day Raila and Ruto signed that agreement, it marked the end of Azimio, and we are now ready to face them in the coming election,” he said.

While Odinga maintains he is not part of the government, his MoU with Ruto has sparked speculation that he may align with the president’s re-election bid.

Political analysts warn that if the remaining opposition leaders fail to unite, Ruto could exploit divisions to secure an easy victory in 2027.

Opposition unity and strategy

Wamalwa has vowed that he, alongside former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, NARC Kenya’s Martha Karua, and former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i, will put their ambitions aside to field the strongest candidate against Ruto.

“To many Kenyans, it matters less who will be the next president—whether Wamalwa, Kalonzo, Gachagua, Matiang’i, or Karua—but it matters most who must never be president again, and that is William Ruto,” Wamalwa affirmed.

“In April, you will see us together, and in May, we expect Gachagua to launch his party. We are assembling a broad-based people’s coalition to remove this broad-based government.”

Gachagua, too, has indicated that his team is building an extensive alliance that will challenge Ruto’s leadership, regardless of Odinga’s stance. “Right now, our focus is not on selecting a flag bearer but on uniting Kenyans and encouraging voter registration. The only way to liberate this country is by ensuring mass voter turnout,” Gachagua said in a recent radio interview.

Political shifts and potential obstacles

With Gachagua’s impeachment possibly barring him from running for office, analysts speculate that the opposition may need to select a candidate from outside Mt. Kenya. A government insider hinted that Ruto’s camp might sponsor candidates from the region to divide votes in his favor.

Article 75(3) of the Constitution disqualifies a state officer removed for violating the law from holding public office unless cleared by the courts. This could complicate Gachagua’s presidential ambitions and force his allies to seek alternative leadership.

Meanwhile, Karua has emphasized that their coalition’s mission is national redemption, not personal ambition. “Each one of us must put the country first. Whoever emerges as the candidate through a fair process will have our full support,” she said.

Kalonzo: Kenya united against Ruto

Musyoka echoed similar sentiments, stating that the opposition’s priority is to offer Kenyans an alternative to Ruto’s leadership. “The country is united against one person who pretends to be uniting Kenyans. We will do what is necessary, and it will be bigger than 2002,” he said, referencing the historic election that ended Kanu’s rule.

Wamalwa reiterated that their mission is to save Kenya from what he called “Zakayo’s rule.” “For us, this is not just about elections—it is about rescuing the majority of Kenyans who are already suffering. We are prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice to achieve this goal,” he asserted.

Political analyst Gitile Naituli argues that in Kenya’s evolving political landscape, perception management is just as crucial as policy direction. As the 2027 race heats up, opposition leaders will need to convince the electorate that their coalition offers a viable alternative to Ruto’s government.