Former Machakos Senator Johnson Muthama has questioned the capacity of Kenya’s current opposition leaders to mount a serious challenge against President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election.

The Parliamentary Service Commission commissioner argues that none of the United Opposition leaders possesses the national clout once commanded by veteran opposition chief, the late Raila Odinga.

Taking to his official X account on Monday, December 29, 2025, Muthama reflected on past elections, noting that even with Raila Odinga’s massive national following, the opposition failed to clinch victory in both the 2013 and 2017 presidential contests.

“Raila Odinga had massive support across the country, yet we in Cord and Nasa didn’t win in 2013 or 2017. Given this history, I’m curious, who among the current opposition leaders has the clout to match Baba’s influence and beat President Ruto in 2027?” Muthama stated.

Lack of confidence

He argued that Raila’s political stature, built over decades of activism, nationwide networks, and mass mobilisation, remains unmatched in the current opposition landscape.

Muthama cast doubt on whether the present crop of opposition leaders can galvanise voters on a national scale, stating that their current posture lacks the confidence and strategic clarity needed to unseat an incumbent president.

“Their current approach doesn’t exactly scream confidence,” Muthama wrote on X.

Fragmented opposition

His remarks come at a time when the opposition appears fragmented, with multiple leaders pushing individual political agendas ahead of 2027.

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, PLP leader Martha Karua, DAP-K’s Eugene Wamalwa, and former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i have all positioned themselves as key voices against the Kenya Kwanza administration, but without a single dominant unifying figure.

Retired Chief Justice David Maraga, who is banking on the Gen Z support, has also sustained his attacks against the Kenya Kwanza administration.

Based on Muthama’s analysis, the opposition risks entering the next election divided and strategically weak, a scenario that would significantly benefit President Ruto.

Ruto has on several occasions trashed the united opposition as lacking an agenda and strategy ahead of the next general polls.

Opposition flag bearer

However, Kalonzo has announced that the United Opposition will be able to front its flagbearer by the first quarter of 2026.

While speaking during an interview with Kameme TV aired on Friday, December 26, 2025, the former vice president affirmed that before the beginning of April, the united opposition would have solved the puzzle of who would face President William Ruto in the 2027 general elections.

“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,” he said.

According to Kalonzo, the united opposition bigwigs will sit down and crack their heads in order to come up with the person who is going to be its head, with other positions being shared among the rest.