DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa has said that members of the Linda Mwananchi movement in the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) should withdraw from the party since it has remained in a broad-based government in Kenya Kwanza, as the opposition needs to unite before the 2027 general election.

Speaking in an interview with a local TV station on Monday, June 29, 2026, Wamalwa said that combining with President William Ruto’s government has made ODM a weaker opposition, urging those dedicated to the agenda of the late ODM leader Raila Odinga in Linda Mwananchi to rejoin the opposition.

“We are in the opposition; ODM went into government. What we are saying is that ODM should leave government; if it does not, then those in ODM who believe in Linda Mwananchi should leave the broad-based arrangement and come back to the opposition so that we get back to the factory settings,” Wamalwa said.

Wamalwa has said that a divided opposition cannot be the key to the defeat of President Ruto, pointing out that previous instances of disunity have stood in the way of opposition triumphs.

Call for unity in opposition

The former Defence Cabinet Secretary also asked for greater interaction between the Gen Z movement and the old political leaders, introducing what he termed as a “Gen Zote” strategy.

Wamalwa says the youth have brought freshness to the political discourse in the country, but they need to form a coalition with the seasoned leaders.

“The only way to victory is to have a Gen Zote approach, young and old, women and men all on board,” he said.

Wamalwa said the concern wasn’t the movement of one side to the other but a true partnership between the two sides, with 52 per cent of Gen Z identifying with the Linda Mwananchi movement compared to 14 per cent who recognised the United Opposition in a recent PARS opinion poll.

“It’s not about joining the United Opposition bus; it’s about making teamwork work,” Wamalwa added.

Wamalwa defends former Government officials

Wamalwa also said leaders who have served the government in the past should not be disqualified from future leadership for lack of integrity but for their performance.

The people who will lead Kenya are Kenyans who were born here, raised here and worked here, and what will count is their track record,” he said.

The former CS has also urged for greater interaction between the Gen Z movement and the old political leaders, introducing what he termed a “Gen Zote” strategy.

Wamalwa says the youth have brought freshness to the political discourse in the country, but they need to form a coalition with the seasoned leaders.

“The only way to victory is to have a Gen Zote approach, young and old, women and men all on board,” he said.

Wamalwa said the concern wasn’t the movement of one side to the other but a true partnership between the two sides, with 52 per cent of Gen Z identifying with the Linda Mwananchi movement compared to 14 per cent who recognised the United Opposition in a recent PARS opinion poll.

“It’s not about joining the United Opposition bus; it’s about making teamwork work,” he added.

Wamalwa also said leaders who have served the government in the past should not be disqualified from future leadership for lack of integrity but for their performance.