People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua has stated that the United Opposition is not interested in naming its presidential candidate anytime soon.

Speaking during an interview on Herman Manyora’s podcast aired on Friday, July 3, 2026, the former justice minister vehemently dismissed calls for the coalition to unveil its flag bearer early, saying Kenyans will have to wait a little longer.

She stated that what the coalition intends to unveil in the coming days is the structure of the united alternative government and its strategy on how it plans to govern.

According to Karua, this should be done before August 2026, warning that if they fail to do so by then, it would be too late. She added that delaying until the end of the year would equally be a mistake.

“We can’t move to announce our candidate this early. Maybe the structure of the movement—that we can and we should do by August. Past that, it would be too late.”

The 2022 Azimio deputy presidential candidate further observed that if Kenyans feel the opposition is dragging its feet, they can themselves convene a national conference to deliberate on the kind of Kenya they desire. Through such a forum, they could even identify and rally behind the presidential candidate they believe is best suited to lead the country in 2027.

Flag bearer puzzle

Her remarks come at a time when the United Opposition remains divided over the timing of unveiling its presidential flag bearer, 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 flag bearer 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 flag bearer.

Presidential flag bearer criteria

The coalition also remains divided over the criteria it should use to select its presidential candidate.

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.