OMWENGA: Will it be result-driven Matiang’i, or Kalonzo the consensus-builder?

The elections of 2027 will define the future of our country unlike any before. The elections will define Kenya even bigger than 2002 ever did—momentous as they were.

As one of those who used to say the opposition must be united 100 per cent in order to have an election as we had in 2002, I now take a slightly different view and that is, yes, it would be great to have a united opposition that is unanimous behind one candidate to defeat Ruto, but this can only be done without a completely united opposition.

When talking about a united opposition, we are only talking about who between former Super CS Fred Matiang’i and former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka will be chosen as the flag bearer for the united opposition.

Though not officially adopted, there are efforts underway by some personalities, including East Africa legislator Zein Abubakar, to draft a formula that will be used to produce a presidential candidate for the united alliance.

All well and good, but this won’t be an easy task. While we wish the team well and pray it succeeds in crafting a formula that is acceptable to the opposition principals, we must also keep in mind the possibility even if that formula is used to select a candidate, someone may still walk away from the deal and go for the presidency alone.

There are two schools of thought about this; one holds regardless of what formula is used, Matiang’i should be the flag bearer flanked by Kalonzo as running mate. The second school of thought holds the opposite—and that is Kalonzo should be the flagbearer, with Matiang’i as his running mate.

As with everything politics, there are pros and cons either way. The question is, which one makes more sense and even more importantly, which combination leaves no room for monkey business from State House operatives to try and sneak Ruto back to office?

Notice I am not saying which combination will beat Ruto—because it is a foregone conclusion either one will easily beat him at the polls—but eliminating monkey business, aka attempts to steal an election, is equally a factor to be considered. And here is where fine differences between Matiang’i and Kalonzo make a big difference in not just campaigning but taking down Ruto.

While Kalonzo represents a long history of public service, Matiang’i embodies a technocratic, results-driven mode of governance that gained prominence during his tenure as Super CS. 

Comparing the two provides insight into who the opposition should select to head it into combat in 2027.

Kalonzo has spent more than four decades in public life. First elected to Parliament in 1985, Kalonzo emerged as a soft-spoken, consensus-building figure in the Kanu era. His leadership style revolves in ‘kupitia kati kati’, or as he may call it, taking advantage of cracks via subtle diplomacy and artful negotiation to get what he wants.

His appointment as Vice President under President Mwai Kibaki following the 2007–2008 post-election crisis came to define his term as VP and in many ways, to this day. 

In life, there are things that attach—no matter how much or hard you try to shake them off. One can objectively say the main and only reason that would have Kalonzo demanding to be at the top of the ticket is seniority in age and entitlement by dint of his having been the Vice President. That’s it. 

Conversely, only humility and acceptance of the will of the people across the country would allow him to shake that off and play game as a team player and not necessarily the head coach.

In contrast, Matiang’i rose rapidly to national prominence from a technocratic background. A scholar and governance consultant before entering public office, Matiang’i became widely known for his assertive, high-efficiency leadership during his tenure as CS in various ministries.

He built a reputation as a results-oriented administrator who demanded accountability, confronted corruption and imposed discipline within the ministries he led—whether in Education, ICT, or the Interior docket. His style was decidedly hands-on, direct and uncompromising. 

If those qualities don’t describe who should be our next President, nothing would.