Speaking during Family Day celebrations at St James Catholic Church in Difathas, Mwea, Kirinyaga county, Karua said leaders within the opposition coalition were yet to establish the structures and rules that would guide the identification of a flagbearer.
"We have not yet established the rules and structures for making any announcements. So if anyone says they are making an announcement, they are speaking for themselves, not for the United Opposition," she said.
Her remarks came amid growing speculation over the opposition's 2027 plans, following claims that Wiper chief Kalonzo Musyoka had been secretly endorsed by the Democracy for Citizens Party leader Rigathi Gachagua as the coalition's preferred presidential candidate.
Without naming anyone, Karua cautioned her counterparts against making unilateral declarations that could undermine the opposition's unity, insisting that any decision would only be announced after consultations among all the leaders.
"If we rush ahead at high speed and leave everyone behind, we will never reach our destination. Let us journey together as one people—all Kenyans," she said.
Karua said that once the opposition
agrees on the selection method and eventually picks its candidate, all the
leaders will rally behind the chosen flag bearer.
The debate
over the opposition's presidential ticket has intensified in recent weeks, with
different leaders expressing confidence in their prospects.
Kalonzo has
publicly said that he
is the coalition's most suitable candidate and that he has already been
identified as the preferred flagbearer by some opposition leaders.
However,
other principals insist
that no formal decision has been made and that consultations are still ongoing.
Karua also
criticised the Kenya Kwanza administration over the reported rise in abductions
and the killing of young people during protests, saying the government must end
what she described as the use of violence against citizens.
"We are also not going to accept manufactured violence through goonism. It is time to unite and liberate our country," she said.
The PLP leader further took issues with the use of money by politicians to lure voters and displaying opulence at a time when many Kenyans are struggling to get by.
“A person maybe moneyed but lack leadership qualities. Leadership is about one’s character, principles and actions. If they don’t respect or care about the people they lead, they will only hurt them,” she added, calling on Kenyans to keenly examine leaders’ conduct before voting for them.
Former Kirinyaga Woman Representative Wangui Ngirici, who also addressed the congregation, accused the government of failing to protect the lives of young Kenyans, saying the country was paying the price for the choices made during the last general election.
"We must keep saying this again and again: stop abducting our children. Stop killing our youth. It is not right. Only God has the right to take life," Ngirici said.
She urged Kenyans to reflect on the country's leadership ahead of the next election, arguing that leaders should be judged by their character and actions rather than campaign slogans.
