The Opposition is banking on support from key regional voting blocs to make William Ruto a one-term president.

People Daily has learnt that the main opposition grouping and its stalwarts are strategising on keeping their areas under lock and key as they try to penetrate key Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga’s bases.

A source familiar with the plans told People Daily that, for instance, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of the Democracy for Citizens Party, People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua and former Cabinet Ministers Justin Muturi and Mithika Linturi have been mandated to keep a grip of their Central Kenya turf and Mt Kenya East.

The group is to further seek support in Kikuyu-dominated parts of Rift Valley, including Nakuru and Laikipia counties, even as they try to extend their tentacles to the Coast through Lamu.

Already three groups have emerged in the battle for Mt Kenya votes with Gachagua working round the clock to keep it under his grasp while Jubilee Party is seeking a comeback even as Ruto, through Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and Majority Leader Kimani Ichungwah, battle to maintain Kenya Kwanza fortunes in the area that played a major role in its win in 2022.

In Western Kenya, the opposition is counting on DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa, Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, former Cabinet Minister Mukhisa Kituyi and DCP bigwig Cleophas Malala to turn the tide against Ruto and Raila.

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetang’ula are seen as key Ruto point men in Western, where Raila and ODM have been enjoying huge support.

On the other hand, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka is to maintain a stranglehold of his Lower Eastern turf and fight to penetrate parts of Nairobi, Coast, North Eastern and Rift Valley.

New opposition entrant Fred Matiang’i is to consolidate his Gusii region votes even as he seeks to win Gen Z support for the opposition. Karua is to also help ring fence and seek women following for the opposition.

United outfit

Recently, Gachagua let the cat out of the bag when he asked Matiang’i to form a regional party and marshal the Gusii region’s votes.

Gachagua said Matiang’i should abandon the Jubilee Party, which is led by retired President Uhuru Kenyatta, and form his own outfit.

The former powerful Interior CS stormed the political field when he returned to the country on April 17, 2025, but has since slowed down his strides after joining the opposition leaders at a major meeting in Wamunyoro, Nyeri County on May 4, 2025.

Matiang’i has attracted the interests of the former ruling Jubilee Party and little-known United Progressive Alliance party (UPA), with the outfits’ officials fighting for him to be their flag bearer in 2027.  

Karua has dismissed those accusing Gachagua of dictatorship by demanding the leaders to take control of their areas.

“Political parties are like kiosks. Open yours and lobby for your followers or customers. Those of us agreeing on a common goal will bring together kiosk owners and agree on fielding candidates as per where the kiosk has many customers,” she said on Monday, May 26, 2025.

While Ruto has maintained a tight grip of his support in most of Rift Valley and with Raila enjoying a near fanatical support in Luo Nyanza, only Nairobi, the Coast and Western are regarded as battlegrounds in 2027 polls.

At the Coast, Raila appears to be still enjoying huge support from locals following the entry of his foot soldiers led by former Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho to the Cabinet.

Senate Speaker Amason Kingi and Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya are handling the mantle for Ruto in the region.

Political observers believe Nairobi will be a battleground for both the opposition and Ruto if Raila remains on the Head of State’s side in the next polls.

Speaking in Murang’a on Sunday, May 25, 2025, Gachagua stated that his party is eyeing at least 152 seats at the National Assembly and at the Senate in the 2027 polls.

The North Eastern appears to be under the tight hands of both Ruto and Raila. While Mandera Senator Ali Roba’s UDM backed Azimio in the last polls, its troops joined Ruto’s side after the election to win government goodies.  

IDs game changer

Other Ruto point men in the region are Aden Duale and Eldas MP Adan Keynan while Raila is mostly relying on Council of Governors chair Ahmed Abdullahi.

According to Roba, Duale and Keynan, the removal of restrictions in the issuance of national IDs and passports has been a game-changer and would win Ruto more support in 2027.

The government has further started building the 749-kilometre Isiolo–Mandera highway at a cost of Sh85 billion, funded by the World Bank and AfDB. The highway links Isiolo, Garissa, Wajir and Mandera counties.

According to Roba, Ruto’s administration has performed well and deserves re-election.

Ruto, Roba said, had further stabilised food prices and exchange rate, returned Kenya Airways to profitability, operationalised the social health coverage and the CBC programme, made progress in affordable housing distribution, and the financial stabilisation of universities.

“Those opposing President Ruto are threatened by the concept of equality,” Keynan added, insisting that those opposed to his administration for removing policies of prejudice and discrimination are feeling threatened because they were used to getting special treatment.