Democratic Party (DP) leader Justin Muturi has said he will support Wiper Patriotic Front party leader Kalonzo Musyoka for the presidency in 2027 if he is not selected as the opposition coalition’s flag bearer.

Muturi made the remarks on Sunday, July 5, 2026, during a church service at ATG Deliverance Chapel in Kamulu, Nairobi. He addressed worshippers and political leaders who attended the service, where opposition unity was a key theme.

Muturi said there is no need for fear or delay in the opposition naming the flag bearer, arguing that President William Ruto had already attacked nearly all the key leaders linked to the alliance.

“Ruto has said everything he wanted to say about Dr Matiang’i. In fact, he says he sleeps, but today I have not seen him sleep. He has said everything about Kalonzo, Eugene Wamalwa, Gachagua. He also said I’m incompetent. Sisi tuwache kuwadanganya wananchi,” Muturi said.

“Na kwa hivo mimi nataka kusema nikiwa hapa leo, na Mungu anisaidie. Kama haitakuwa mimi… mimi nitamuunga mkono ndugu yangu Dr Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka kuwa mgombea urais ya upinzani,” Muturi said.

Muturi also stressed that he does not want to be pushed into decisions and warned against internal divisions within the opposition.

“But that does not mean wengine hawana maoni yao. Lakini tuwacheni hii mambo ya kushinda…,” he added.

He said public disagreements only benefit President William Ruto, whom he accused of using political divisions to weaken the opposition.

“Ndiyo inafanya William Ruto aanze kuingilia kwa magazeti kuenda kuweka kacheche akienda kusema ati hawa wamegawanyika,” Muturi said.

Muturi’s comments come at a time when opposition leaders are working to form a united front ahead of the 2027 General Election. Several leaders have expressed interest in the coalition’s top ticket, including Kalonzo Musyoka, former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, and other senior politicians.

Opposition delays flag-bearer decision

The opposition has repeatedly stated that it intends to field a single presidential candidate to challenge President Ruto.

On July 4, 2026, Democracy for Citizens Party leader Rigathi Gachagua said the coalition will not rush the process. Speaking in Nyeri County, he said the alliance can wait until the IEBC deadline in May 2027 before naming its flagbearer.

“We will not give you the advantage of dividing us. We will not give you the opportunity to intimidate our flag bearer,” Gachagua said.

He added that early announcements would expose their candidate to political attacks and internal sabotage.

People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua has also backed a delayed announcement. She said the coalition should first unveil its governing structure before selecting a candidate, arguing that premature naming could weaken unity.

The game of coalition talks

At the same time, the broad-based formation is also engaged in quiet strategic positioning as coalition talks continue behind the scenes. ODM leader Oburu Oginga has defended the slow pace of talks between his party and President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA), saying the delay is deliberate and meant to protect their negotiating strength.

Speaking in Kisumu on July 4, 2026, Oburu said early disclosure of coalition plans would give political opponents an advantage.

“If we try to make a coalition arrangement too early, we are going to give our opponents some clue of what we want to do, and they can shoot it from far very early,” he said.