Muturi explains why he is opposed to homestretch naming of a presidential candidate
By Mabonga Makhanu, February 14, 2026Former Attorney General and Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi has come out to explain why he is opposed to the coalition’s homestretch naming of a presidential flag bearer.
While speaking during an interview with political analyst Herman Manyora on Friday, February 14, 2026, the Democratic Party leader expressed his deep aversion to the current move by the united opposition to wait until the final stages, just a few months before the general election, to present their flag bearer who will challenge President William Ruto in the August 2027 polls.
Muturi cited the 2002 scenario in the Kenya African National Union (KANU), when then-President Daniel Moi kept his succession plans unclear and often allowed jostling among potential successors, only to settle at the last minute on retired President Uhuru Kenyatta.
According to Muturi, this move led to a mass exodus from KANU and the eventual formation of the National Rainbow Coalition (NARC).
He further stated that the damage had already been done and was irreparable, leaving nothing more to salvage in a situation he says led to KANU’s political downfall in the 2002 general election.
“Waiting till the tail end could be disastrous; it could be a situation like the tsunami that hit KANU in 2002. There might be no time to control the damage of the fallout.”
Gachagua’s suggestion
Muturi added that the united opposition risks finding itself in a similar situation. He noted that he is opposed to the proposal by Democracy for Citizens Party leader Rigathi Gachagua, who has argued that the coalition should not rush to name its flag bearer but instead do so at the last minute to avoid state intimidation. Muturi, however, dismissed that reasoning.
“I hope i will be able to convince my colleagues of the logic of what i am proposing. I am not that person who thinks that if we settle on one person, Ruto will focus on him; he should actually focus on him.”
He cited other jurisdictions such as the United States, saying that it was known early that Donald Trump would be contesting against Democrat Kamala Harris.
The flag bearer puzzle
This comes at a time when the united opposition is facing a flag bearer puzzle, with leaders holding differing views on when to name their candidate. Recently, Eugene Wamalwa, leader of the Democratic Action Party – Kenya (DAP-K), suggested that the coalition should name its flag bearer six months before the general election.
Meanwhile, Kalonzo Musyoka of the Wiper Patriotic Front (WPF) proposed that the candidate be named within the first quarter of 2026, a position that Gachagua later refuted.
Muturi also revealed that the united opposition principals have already received an initial draft outlining the metrics and scenarios to be used in selecting their flag bearer.
He added that technical teams are currently developing two more proposals, which will be presented to the principals during an upcoming retreat for further fine-tuning.