Jubilee presidential candidate Fred Matiang’i has urged opposition leaders to remain united ahead of the 2027 general election, saying the overriding objective should be working together to change the country’s leadership.
Speaking at Dominion Chapel Ministries International in Olerai, Narok county, Matiang’i said opposition leaders should be prepared to support a joint presidential candidate even if they are not the one chosen to lead the coalition.
“Those of us in the Opposition must stand together come what may,” Matiang’i said.
He said leaders should prioritise unity over individual ambitions, arguing that the opposition’s focus should be on addressing what he described as the country’s current challenges.
“Even if we do not get the presidential candidate role, we must remain united to send this administration home,” he said.
Matiang’i said the prospect of the current administration securing another five-year term should motivate opposition leaders to work together.
“When you wake up in the morning, you should ask yourself; what will this country be if these people get another five years?” he said.
The former Interior CS said his decision to engage other opposition leaders was driven by the need to build a united political front ahead of the election.
“And because of that, I am at the forefront to unite with other Opposition leaders,” Matiang’i said, adding: “We must agree; our country cannot continue to be run like this.”
His remarks come as opposition parties and leaders continue discussions on forming a coalition and settling on a joint presidential candidate to face President William Ruto in 2027.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, however, has predicted that one opposition principal will walk away after they settle on a presidential candidate.
Speaking to Kenyans in Dallas, United States, the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader compared the current opposition realignment to the events preceding the 2002 General Election.
“Just the way William Ruto’s people are talking, it is the same way Daniel arap Moi’s supporters talked in the 2002 elections,” Gachagua said.
He said the opposition’s current efforts to identify a single candidate reminded him of the political events of 2002.
“At Uhuru Park, there was a meeting and it was declared ‘Kibaki Tosha’. There was one opposition presidential candidate and Simeon Nyachae walked away. Nyachae went alone,” he said.
Gachagua predicted that a similar scenario could emerge in the run-up to the 2027 election, with one opposition principal leaving the coalition after the candidate is selected.
“I want to prophesy today, not because I am a prophet but based on experience, foresight and understanding Kenyan politics, history will repeat itself,” he said.
“One presidential candidate will be announced, one person will go away. That one person will go away on his own.”