Muturi: There is nothing William Ruto will do to anyone we front as opposition flag bearer
By Aloys Michael, July 7, 2026Democratic Party of Kenya (DP) leader Justin Muturi has dismissed fears that President William Ruto could politically intimidate the opposition’s 2027 presidential candidate, saying there is nothing the Head of State has not already done or said against the coalition’s top leaders.
Speaking in an interview on a local TV station on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, Muturi urged the opposition coalition to stop delaying the announcement of its presidential flag bearer for the 2027 General Election, arguing that prolonged consultations were frustrating Kenyans.
The former Attorney General said Ruto had already targeted almost every senior opposition leader, making concerns over naming a candidate unnecessary.
“Let me put it this way: in my view, there is nothing William Ruto will do to anyone we choose as our candidate. William Ruto already knows what each one of us is still capable of doing. If we say he will come after us, he could do so even now if he wanted to,” Muturi said.
He said the opposition had travelled extensively across the country, engaging wananchi and should now shift its focus to presenting a united presidential candidate.
“Because we have travelled to so many places, it would be unfair to return and keep telling people the same story. Kenyans are tired, and they will ask us, ‘Have you still not reached an agreement by now?'” he said.
Mururi speaks
According to Muturi, delaying the selection of the opposition flagbearer only creates uncertainty among supporters while allowing Ruto to dominate the political conversation ahead of the 2027 polls.
Muturi argued that President Ruto had already levelled every criticism possible against leaders associated with the opposition coalition.
“Ruto has already said everything he wanted to say about Dr Fred Matiang’i. He has said everything about Kalonzo Musyoka, Eugene Wamalwa and Rigathi Gachagua. He has also said that I am incompetent. We should stop misleading Kenyans,” Muturi said.
The DP leader warned opposition principals against allowing internal disagreements to play out in public, saying such disputes only strengthen President Ruto politically.
“That does not mean others do not have their own opinions. However, we should stop constantly engaging in these public disagreements,” he said.
Muturi said public divisions give the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) chief room to shape the narrative and portray the opposition coalition as disorganised.
“That is what gives William Ruto the opportunity to influence the public narrative through the media by creating the impression that the opposition is divided,” he said.
Although he maintained that the opposition should quickly settle on a presidential candidate, Muturi has already pledged to support Kalonzo Musyoka if he is not selected as the coalition’s flag bearer.
“I want to say here today, and may God help me, that if I am not the one chosen, I will support my brother, Dr Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka, as the opposition’s presidential candidate,” he said.
Muturi’s remarks come amid growing debate over who will lead the united opposition into the 2027 General Election. Several leaders, including Kalonzo Musyoka, Fred Matiang’i, Eugene Wamalwa, Rigathi Gachagua, Martha Karua and Justin Muturi, have been linked to the coalition’s presidential ticket.
Karua’s stance
However, People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua maintained that the opposition coalition has not agreed on either its presidential candidate or the process of selecting one.
Speaking during Family Day celebrations at St James Catholic Church in Difathas, Mwea, Kirinyaga County, Karua cautioned leaders against making declarations that could undermine opposition unity.
“We have not agreed on the criteria or the process of selecting our presidential candidate. Anyone speaking as though a decision has already been made is misleading Kenyans,” Karua said.
She said coalition leaders were still consulting and would unveil one presidential candidate once consensus had been reached.
“When the time comes, and we have completed consultations, we shall present one candidate to Kenyans, and every leader will stand behind that choice,” Karua said.
The latest remarks from Justin Muturi reveal growing pressure on the opposition coalition to settle on its 2027 presidential flag bearer, with leaders increasingly calling for a united front against Ruto as political preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum.