In the rolling hills of Nyamira County on November 23, 2025, United Opposition spokesman and former UNCTAD Secretary-General Mukhisa Kituyi electrified a packed rally with a bold assertion targeting President William Ruto’s re-election prospects.

“The waking nightmare is to see Matiang’i as the candidate of United Opposition running against him,” Kituyi declared, adding, “Anatafuta mbinu zote kumpunguzia mwenendo aonekane kwamba hata Wakisii hawamtaki.”

His words sent the crowd erupting, underscoring the growing centrality of the Gusii vote in the 2027 race. Kituyi, appointed coalition secretary in September 2025 despite protests from DCP deputy leader Cleophas Malala, has positioned himself as the alliance’s sharpest critic of the Kenya Kwanza administration.

Also watch: Matiang’i moves to Malava, holds key talks ahead of opposition blitz

United Opposition stakes

Kituyi’s address highlighted the internal contest for the coalition’s flagbearer position. “Sisi United Opposition tuko team moja, lakini katika hiyo team pia kuna competition, ni nani atakua single candidate,” he said, noting the delicate balance between leaders such as Rigathi Gachagua, Kalonzo Musyoka, Martha Karua, Eugene Wamalwa, and Justin Muturi.

He emphasised the importance of regional backing: “If you do not have the support of your backyard, you cannot win at the national level.”

His remarks placed former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i, now Jubilee deputy leader and endorsed presidential candidate, at the centre of the 2027 strategy.

Days before, Matiang’i had urged unity, saying, “The decision to belong to the united opposition is a party decision, and I represent Jubilee in it on behalf of the party… We will be there; no one has lied to us that it will be a walk in the park.”

He added, “When we disagree, we will talk it out. At the end of the day, we are all Kenyans and fully aware of what the country needs.”

Youth gap and Opposition’s path forward

In Nyamira, Kituyi rallied locals: “Nyinyi ndio nguzo ya mtu anafaa kuwa kiongozi wa nchi yetu, na ni jukumu lenu kuamua.”

He tore into the government, saying, “I can’t come here to argue with Ruto’s handmaid’swenye wanasema mkuje kwa serikali mpate maendeleo… Tumwambie Ruto hivi, if Ruto has been to school, which I really doubt, a president that is in power does not run on promise, he runs on record ndio aseme mvotie yeye.”

Yet he also acknowledged a weakness.

In a November 20, 2025, radio interview, he admitted, “As it stands today, the opposition has not sufficiently linked up with Gen Zs, and you can’t tell an agenda whose main consumers are going to be Gen Zs without their participation.”

For Matiang’i, persuasion over hostility remains key: “I believe this campaign… we are going to conquer this time around with love… Sisi hatuwezi kuingia kwa hiyo mambo ya kutukanana na watu.”