Opposition leaders meet ahead of JB Muturi’s party event
By Mabonga Makhanu, January 28, 2026United opposition leaders have met at the head offices of Martha Karua’s-led Peoples Liberation Party (PLP) while en route to Ufungamano House to attend the National Delegates Conference (NDC) of the Democratic Party (DP).
The principals, led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, Democratic Action Party (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa, and other leaders such as former nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba and Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) deputy party leader Cleophas Malala, all gathered for a sit-down before accompanying one of their united opposition allies, JB Muturi, to his party, NDC.
Martha Karua took to his social media channels on Wednesday, January 28, 2025, acknowledging the meeting, stating that it’s appropriate and in the spirit of multipartism.
“The United Opposition converged at the PLP headquarters before attending the NDC of the DP Party. The United Opposition consists of many political parties and fully supports the spirit of multiparty.”
This comes after the DP party extended an invitation to prominent figures within the country to attend their party’s NDC at Ufungamano House.
United Opposition’s 2027 puzzle
The meeting takes place as the united opposition seeks to strategise ahead of the 2027 elections. The current focus is on the flag bearer puzzle, with leaders trying to determine who among them would be most suitable to face President William Ruto in the 2027 polls.
Kalonzo Musyoka announced that the united opposition will name its flag bearer within the first quarter of 2026, giving Kenyans ample time to know their leader ahead of the 2027 elections.
Gachagua, however, dismissed this, stating that the coalition should not rush to name a presidential candidate. According to him, he could be subjected to state intimidation that would hamper his bid, and the decision should only be made a few months before the polls.
Matiang’i bid
Matiang’i, who is being fronted by the Jubilee Party, has begun countrywide tours aimed at popularising his bid. The party, through its deputy party leader Jeremiah Kioni, announced that they will conduct campaigns across the country to strengthen his profile and make him known to the local populace.
This also comes at a time when their main challenger, President William Ruto, has expressed confidence in himself, stating that he is sure he will win by a 2–3 million vote margin, surpassing his 2022 victory, where he won by just 200 votes, and asserting that he has no worthy competitor.
Despite of each principal within the united opposition harbouring presidential ambitions, they have agreed to shelve individual aspirations and support the candidate they will settle on