Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot has accused the United Opposition of trying to mimic the political pattern of the late former prime minister Raila Odinga, whom he claimed often lost elections but eventually found his way into the governments he unsuccessfully vied against.

Speaking on a local podcast on Tuesday night, January 13, 2025, the Senate Majority Leader stated that the united opposition seeking to challenge President William Ruto in 2027, to make him a one-term president, has sat down and assessed how the late ODM leader used to play his politics.

He claimed that after losing presidential elections, Raila would always find his way into government, adding that the united opposition is now attempting to apply a similar tactic.

He poured cold water on the opposition’s strategy, arguing that they do not even understand how the late leader operated politically. According to Cheruiyot, this is why the united opposition is struggling to set up formidable campaign machinery.

“This thing called United Opposition is just a story; it is composed of people who have sat down and tried to review Raila’s style of politics, who never won elections but still found their way into government. They are trying to copy the same; they don’t even know how Raila used to do it, and that’s why they are struggling.” Cheruiyot stated

Regional politics

He further stated that this is why the united opposition’s key political strategy revolves around regional and ethnic-based politics, noting that each principal within the formation is only speaking about their region and ethnic base.

Cheruiyot argued that regional politics are a thing of the past and were decisively defeated by President William Ruto in the 2022 General Election.

“That is why from their conversations, they are only talking of regions and ethnic communities,” he added.

He went on to state that President Ruto proved in 2022 that regional politics have no place in modern society and cannot propel anyone to the top seat. He also noted that the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), which the courts halted, was similarly built on the same regional and ethnic foundations.

United Opposition’s flagbearer puzzle

This comes at a time when the united opposition is trying to set up campaign machinery that will lead them into the 2027 General Election and realise their dream of making President William Ruto a one-term president. It also comes at a time when they are divided on when to front and name a presidential candidate who will be their flagbearer.

Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka wants the flag bearer to be named within the first quarter of 2026, while former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is opposed to the idea, arguing that naming a presidential candidate too early would expose them to intimidation and a political witch-hunt by the government.