The opposition remains split on whether to hold joint or individual political rallies, even as its constituent parties prepare for November’s by-elections that could test the strength of the emerging coalition.
Key opposition figures met on Wednesday at Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka’s SKM Command Centre to deliberate on the matter, but no consensus was reached.
Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka, who was privy to the deliberations, said the meeting sought to iron out not only campaign strategy but also “other emerging issues”.
Those present were Wiper leader Kalonzo, impeached Deputy President and DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua, former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i, PLP leader Martha Karua, DAP-K’s Eugene Wamalwa and former CS Justin Muturi, who leads DP party.
They were joined by former PS and Jubilee chairperson Torome Saitoti and former ministers Mukhisa Kituyi and Mithika Linturi.
In a key outcome, the leaders unveiled former Trade Minister Kituyi as the head of secretariat and official spokesperson of the newly christened “United Opposition”.
The wrangling over strategy underscores the opposition’s broader dilemma: whether to project unity as a counterweight to President William Ruto’s administration, or allow parties to retain autonomy ahead of 2027.
Political observers note that the by-elections could provide an early barometer of the coalition’s cohesion or fragility.
While the leaders demonstrated their unity in similar social media post across their respective accounts, the contentious issue of the conduct of the political meetings remained an issue.
A decision on the matter was important ahead of the opposition’s planned meetings in Kisii on September 8, which remains unconfirmed.
The concerns follows an incident in Tharaka Nithi, where Wiper leader Kalonzo was heckled and his meetings disrupted.
Kalonzo was left exposed as none of the other opposition leaders accompanied him, despite a publicity poster indicating he would be accompanied by Muturi and Linturi.
Earlier, lawyer Ndegwa Njiru, a close ally of Gachagua, accused Matiang’i of being an NIS agent in the opposition after he toured Meru and Laikipia counties in the absence of the former DP.
Speaking on the vernacular Kameme TV station, Ndegwa claimed Matiang’i was part of the government project out to destroy the opposition.
"Matiang'i is a state project. Gen Z said they are party-less, leader-less, then suddenly they started hyping up Matiang'i. Matiang'i is an NIS project," Njiru said, further questioning Matiang'i's commitment to joint opposition meetings.
Njiru claimed the former Interior minister had failed to participate in joint meetings.
"When we were touring the country, we didn't get to go to Kisii because Matiang'i said he was not ready to come back," Njiru said.
“He didn’t join us in Narok and when he returned from the US, he didn't inform us and instead went to Meru. But he denied us the right to go to Kisii.”
He retracted the comments and apologised to Matiang’i the same day, August 19.
“"I have spoken to our brother Fred Matiangi, and he has confidentially confirmed that he is firmly in opposition," he said.
“Therefore, in the spirit of unity and our resolve to have the Wantam Movement retain the necessary momentum, I wish to retract the statement unconditionally.”
Among the queries was how the parties would undertake the joint meetings, while they will be rivals in some of the upcoming by-elections.
Gachagua’s DCP has invited interested candidates to apply for its ticket. It is likely to face off with Wiper, DP and DAP-K in some electoral units.
