Fredrick Okang’o: Opposition won’t oppose 2027 referendum
By Faith Lagat, December 26, 2025Strategic advisor to Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya Fredrick Okang’o has warned that Kenya is heading for a seventh ballot in 2027, a National Referendum, and that not even the opposition will truly oppose it, because this time the stakes are higher, re-engineering the very structure of the state.
In a post on X dated December 26, 2025, he declared: “Kenya is heading for a 7th ballot in 2027, a National Referendum. Not even the OPPOSITION will truly oppose it. Because this time the stakes will be different: re-engineering the state!”
Okang’o posed this question to highlight the constitutional principle that governance is anchored on the active involvement of citizens. By referencing Articles 255, 256, and 257, he reminded Kenyans that public participation is not optional it is a legal and moral obligation that empowers citizens to influence decisions affecting their lives.
“Are you familiar with what is referred to as participation of the people or public participation, or citizen engagement as implied in 255, 256 and 257?”
He has called on Kenyans to view the 2027 elections as more than a routine political contest, urging that it should serve as a powerful reaffirmation of the people’s sovereignty.
According to Okang’o, while citizens will cast six votes for their elected representatives, the seventh vote for the Republic itself offers an opportunity to shape the nation’s future directly. He emphasised that the ultimate authority lies with the people, and it is they who must decide the direction of the country.
“Let 2027 be more than a political contest. Let it be a reaffirmation of the people’s sovereignty. Let Kenyans cast six votes for their representatives—and a seventh for their Republic. Let the people decide.”
Mudavadi warns of constitutional crisis
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has said the 2027 general elections are likely to be declared invalid if there is no referendum to streamline constitutional requirements.
Speaking at the 46th Muloogoli festival held in Mbale, Vihiga County, on December 26, 2025, Mudavadi said: “Remember, no valid population census data, no valid boundaries review, and no general elections. That is the law and not my words. We must embrace the referendum as a legal necessity to save our democracy.”
Mudavadi expressed concern that only 20 months remain until the elections, warning of looming legal obstacles. He said: “Only 20 months are remaining for the 2027 elections to be conducted. There is a beaconing reality that 2027 is a referendum moment. Allow me to state without fear or contradiction that there is a need for constitutional review. As a leader, I must speak the truth about the looming constitutional storm.”
He cited the lapse in boundaries review, nullification of the 2019 census in Wajir, Mandera, and Garissa counties, and the difficulty of mixing census data from 2019 and 2026.
“With mini census results in three counties, mixing 2019 census data with 2026 census data is a legal impossibility. This means there will be no valid population census data, no valid boundaries review and subsequently no general elections,” he said.
United Opposition moves ahead
Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka announced that the United Opposition will select its presidential flagbearer by the first quarter of 2026.
During a Kameme TV interview aired on December 26, 2025, Kalonzo said: “I think that is what is going to unite us more. And of course, we are hoping before the year gets underway.
I personally think within the first quarter, we should have agreed on who our flagbearer is, because, again, Kenyans want certainty to be able to plan and to make sure that William Ruto will not rig the coming election.”
Kalonzo cited his coalition-building experience, referencing past pacts like the 2007-2008 Grand Coalition, and warned against defections.
He added: “Because I hope that I’m that flag bearer. If I am, I want to assure my colleagues in the united opposition that we will hold together.”
The opposition principals, including former DP Rigathi Gachagua and Martha Karua, have agreed to support the chosen candidate while rebranding the coalition as Komboa Kenya.