Kioni warns of voter apathy if United Opposition delays naming presidential candidate
By Mabonga Makhanu, July 6, 2026Jubilee deputy party leader Jeremiah Kioni has warned of serious voter apathy in the 2027 General Election if the United Opposition fails to name its presidential flagbearer early enough.
Speaking during an interview with a local radio station on Monday, July 6, 2026, the outspoken former Ndaragwa MP said the level of voter apathy that could be witnessed if the opposition continues to delay unveiling its candidate would make the 2022 General Election, in which about eight million registered voters failed to turn out and vote, look like child’s play.
“We must let Kenyans start seeing these people (candidates) and make up their minds. Those who have not made up their minds need to make up their minds now. And if we don’t do that, we had eight million people who did not vote in this election, trust me. will be more than ten million this time round. We’ll have serious apathy.”
Kioni argued that there is no benefit in the United Opposition continuing to delay naming its presidential candidate, saying Kenyans have already made up their minds about the political direction they want the country to take.
He added that the opposition should unveil its presidential flagbearer as soon as possible to allow Kenyans to become familiar with the candidate ahead of the 2027 general election.
Flagbearer puzzle
These remarks come at a time when the United Opposition remains divided over the timing of unveiling its presidential flagbearer, with each principal within the coalition holding a different view.
At the beginning of the year, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka proposed that the coalition should settle on its flagbearer in the first quarter of 2026. However, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua strongly rejected the proposal, arguing that doing so would expose the candidate to state intimidation.
Instead, the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader proposed that the coalition should unveil its presidential candidate three to six months before the general election, similar to what happened during the 2002 NARC wave. His proposal has also received the backing of DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa.
However, Democratic Party leader and former Attorney General Justin Muturi has expressed reservations about that approach, insisting that the earlier the coalition settles on its presidential candidate, the better.
He has maintained that he will push the coalition to identify its challenger to President William Ruto as early as possible.
Muturi also dismissed comparisons with the 2002 elections, arguing that, unlike the NARC coalition, the current opposition does not have the advantage of an obvious presidential candidate. He noted that in 2002, it was widely understood from the outset that Mwai Kibaki would be the coalition’s flagbearer.
Presidential flag bearer criteria
Jubilee presidential hopeful Fred Matiang’i has proposed the use of an internal scientific poll, with the candidate receiving the highest support becoming the coalition’s flag bearer.
Under his proposal, the first, second, and third runners-up would assume the positions of Deputy President, Prime Cabinet Secretary, and Speaker, respectively.
The proposal has been endorsed by Martha Karua and Eugene Wamalwa. However, Kalonzo Musyoka has strongly opposed it, insisting that the coalition should instead settle on its flag bearer through consensus and boardroom negotiations.
Kirwa-led committee
Meanwhile, a committee chaired by former Agriculture Minister Kipruto Arap Kirwa, who also serves as the chairperson of the United Opposition, has been constituted to lay the groundwork for the coalition.
The committee, comprising two lawyers from each member party, has been working behind the scenes to develop the coalition’s operational framework and recommend the criteria that will be used to settle on its presidential flag bearer.