Revealed: Kalonzo's secret talks to secure opposition ticket for 2027 race

The move comes amid growing competition from several opposition heavyweights seeking to unseat President William Ruto.

Kalonzo’s allies say the former vice president has intensified behind-the-scenes engagements with opposition principals in an effort to build consensus around his candidature.

There is a strong belief within his camp that this could be his strongest opportunity yet to ascend to the presidency.

Latest opinion polls show Kalonzo is the strongest opposition candidate, coming only five points shy of President William Ruto.

A survey released by TIFA last week showed Ruto still leads the race at 24 per cent followed by Kalonzo at 19 per cent.

The push comes at a time when the opposition is grappling with a crowded field of potential presidential hopefuls.

They include DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua, DAP-Kenya boss Eugene Wamalwa, PLP leader Martha Karua, DP party leader Justin Muturi, and Jubilee deputy party leader Fred Matiang’i.

Multiple sources familiar with the talks say Kalonzo has separately met several opposition principals to seek support for his bid while also exploring ways of keeping the coalition united ahead of the next polls.

The Wiper leader is also said to be reaching out to the fast-growing Linda Mwananchi movement led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, in what insiders describe as a broader strategy to consolidate anti-Ruto forces into one formidable alliance.

Some allies within the opposition believe efforts to unite the mainstream opposition and the Linda Mwananchi movement could significantly boost their chances of unseating Ruto in 2027.

“He is having a lot of bilateral talks with the other principals,” Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua, a close ally of Kalonzo, said.

Wambua, who also serves as Senate Deputy Minority Leader, disclosed that Kalonzo was quietly building relationships and consolidating support across the opposition.

“He is not just sitting there and waiting for things to happen. He is building relationships,” Wambua said.

Kalonzo’s allies insist the former vice president remains the opposition’s best bet against Ruto owing to his political experience, moderate posture and relatively scandal-free record.

“Kalonzo is the most experienced you can have. For balancing the country, he is the best. For uniting the country, he is the best. The general accord is that he is the one,” Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo said.

The TIFA survey suggested that a Kalonzo-Sifuna alliance could emerge as the most preferred opposition pairing, attracting 25 per cent support among respondents.

The poll tested the pairings without specifying who would be the presidential candidate or running mate.

A Kalonzo-Matiang’i ticket came second with 24 per cent support, while a possible Gachagua-Kalonzo alliance ranked third at 19 per cent.

Maanzo disclosed that negotiations between Kalonzo’s camp and the Linda Mwananchi movement were already underway, with plans for a broader coalition expected to take shape in the coming months.

“The Linda Mwananchi team has asked us to just allow them to do one more rally here in Nairobi. After that, we will also hold ours, and we meet in a joint rally where everything will be announced,” Maanzo said.

Details emerging from the ongoing engagements reveal a cautious but deliberate effort by opposition figures to avoid the divisions that have previously weakened attempts to form a united front against ruling coalitions.

Sources familiar with the talks say several informal meetings have already taken place, bringing together politicians and strategists keen on crafting a formidable coalition ahead of 2027.

One of the latest meetings, insiders said, was held about two weeks ago and featured early discussions involving Kalonzo and Sifuna over possible coalition arrangements.

“It is true, talks have been going on, but I must say they are still informal. A formal meeting will only happen when we call for a retreat as the opposition,” Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale confirmed.

Political observers say Kalonzo currently enjoys considerable goodwill among opposition leaders, largely because of his perceived loyalty and long-standing role within opposition politics.

For more than a decade, Kalonzo has played a central role in opposition alliances but has repeatedly shelved his own presidential ambitions in favour of coalition unity.

In both the 2013 and 2017 elections, Kalonzo abandoned his presidential bid to become the running mate of Raila Odinga.

In 2022, he again stepped aside and supported the nomination of Martha Karua as Raila’s running mate in a move that was aimed at boosting support in the Mt Kenya region.

Despite those sacrifices, Kalonzo consistently delivered significant support from the Ukambani region and remained one of Raila’s most dependable allies throughout successive campaigns.

According to Wambua, Kalonzo’s current consultations go beyond electoral politics and are focused on shaping a shared vision for the country.

“Kalonzo sees the Kenyan challenge as one he is capable of dealing with. He is hearing different views from different people within the coalition. He is doing a good job of building that wider coalition with the Kenyan people,” Wambua said.

Prof Gitile Naituli said a Kalonzo-Sifuna ticket would be a lethal pairing against Ruto's bid owing to the ODM secretary general’s growing popularity.

“Sifuna represents more than a voice. He represents a direction. His style — direct, unfiltered and often confrontational — resonates with a younger, more impatient constituency,” Naituli said.

INSTANT ANALYSIS

Kalonzo Musyoka’s quiet coalition-building strategy signals an attempt to position himself as the consensus opposition candidate ahead of the 2027 elections. Unlike rivals relying on public rallies and confrontational politics, Kalonzo is banking on negotiations, loyalty and experience to unify fragmented opposition factions. The emerging engagement with Edwin Sifuna’s Linda Mwananchi movement also reflects efforts to attract younger urban voters. However, competing ambitions from leaders such as Rigathi Gachagua and Fred Matiang’i could complicate unity talks and weaken the opposition’s chances against President William Ruto.