Buoyed by the apparent public anger against the Kenya Kwanza government, a group of opposition leaders are burning the midnight oil to identify one of them to face off President William Ruto on the ballot in 2027.

Under the efforts spearheaded by impeached former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, the leaders, some of whom are Kenya Kwanza rebels, have been holding night meetings to form a formidable opposition outfit to kick out President Ruto come 2027 General Elections.

“We are treading carefully not to gamble with our votes like we did in 2022,” Gachagua told the People Daily about the alliance.

Gachagua disclosed that besides bringing together leaders of existing political parties, they intend bring on board the Gen Zs, the youthful lot that almost brought down President Ruto’s government last year.

“This is a key constituency that we are already talking to through various social media outlets. One of our strategies is how to ensure they register as voters en masse,” he said.

Zoning off Mt Kenya region

Gachagua also disclosed that besides onboarding Gen Zs, their strategy also encompasses zoning off Mt Kenya from the reach of President Ruto.

“The truth is that the people of Mt Kenya have realised his lies and deserted him and that is why you are seeing him trying to get the support of other regions,” he says.

Political analysts Prof Macharia Munene and Dr Martin Oloo are already sounding a warning that the Gachagua super alliance could run into headwinds faced by previous attempts by the opposition.

“Their scheme is viable, but they must remember Dr Ruto is a cunning politician. If they don’t put aside their personal egos aside, President Ruto will defeat them early in the morning,” says Prof Macharia.

Echoing Prof Macharia’s sentiments, Dr Oloo says the only way for President Ruto to be defeated is through a united opposition.

“Should they fall prey to tribal arithmetics, they are doomed. They should take advantage of the prevailing general public mood against the Kenya Kwanza regime, to push their agenda,” says Dr Oloo.

Already some of the names being floated to face off with President Ruto include former Vice President and current Wiper Democratic Movement leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Democratic Alliance Party of Kenya (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa and their Narc-Kenya counterpart Martha Karua and former Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang’i.

The caucuses which have been convened either in Nairobi or Gachagua’s Nyeri home in Wamunyoro have majorly been on strategy, where the leaders, apart from deliberating on who will fly their flag, have also agreed to engage and recruit more members into their fold.

According to one of Kalonzo’s close allies, their main priority is not the flagbearer, but strengthening their respective parties and strategising on how to remain united.

“We all know the challenges that lie ahead of us, but we are determined to overcome them. We are fully aware that the government will use money to sow seeds of discord among us, but based on the past experiences, our opposition shall remain united,” Machakos deputy governor Francis Mwangangi said.

Mwangangi says leaders in their camp have already started mobilisation of resources for use to assist the Gen Zs to register as voters.

“This is one area we are concentrating all our efforts on. We are targeting to facilitate no less than 10 million Gen Zs to register as new voters. We are going to embark on an awareness campaign to sensitise them why it is critical for them to register as voters,” Mwangangi says.

Gachagua, who has been vocal since his impeachment, has declared his lack of interest in the top seat and is said to be only determined to see his former boss and 2022 bosom friend being kicked out.

Other than lacking interest in the top seat, Gachagua’s hands are also tied since the law bars him from holding any public office following his impeachment.

United against Ruto

Insiders revealed that Gachagua has vowed to use whatever means possible to ensure that his former boss is not re-elected in the 2027 General Elections.

It is understood that Gachagua who is still battling a court case agreed to partner with Karua, whom he is willing to back as the front runner in Mt Kenya in the next polls.

In a new political twist, Gachagua has been forging alliances with political leaders that he was previously opposed to during his tenure in government, and now he is hosting them at his Wamunyoro home to win them over.

“We have all agreed to field a joint formidable candidate against Dr Ruto in 2027 if we are to have a chance to kick him out of State House. Should we fail to achieve this, all our efforts would be naught,” Democratic Action Party-Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa told the People Daily.

Wamalwa confirmed that plans are underway to announce a major political alliance ahead of the 2027 General Elections.

Wamalwa, who was behind Musyoka and Gachagua’s union, noted that the four principals who turned up at the DAP-K event were only the first faces as plans to welcome more parties to join in the new alliances are in top gear.

“The ceremony on Monday was not just an unveiling party headquarters. It was unveiling our new formation. It will be our new coalition and its new government. The election journey started that day, with the IEBC selection panel being set up. As the opposition, we want to give Kenyans a better option. As they broaden the government, we are also broadening the opposition,” Wamalwa said.

“We are not just talking about the four principals you saw: Matiangi, Kalonzo, and Rigathi Gachagua and myself. We have others coming on board. There will be a coalition that will be launched soon. There are others coming to form a winning coalition,” Wamalwa said.

Wamalwa added that the principals will be tasked with the decision of settling on a single flag bearer to face Ruto.

He added: “While Ruto is consolidating and pushing for all parties to wind up and join UDA, our approach is different. We should open the space so that as many parties as possible can join this wonderful winning team. There should be no room for division. Let’s not allow ourselves to be divided.”

The talk of the super alliances was cemented on Monday this week after Gachagua graced the launch of DAP-K party where he pledged to work with all Kenyans to ensure that Ruto is not re-elected come 2027.

Gachagua in his speech challenged Kenyans to stand up against Ruto, whom he accused of being intolerant and dictatorial.

“We are part of this team and will walk this journey together to liberate this country. We will make whatever sacrifices necessary to make sure William Ruto is a one-term President,” Gachagua stated.

He added: “The government he leads is a one-man show; he wants his way and all those ministers you see there are flower girls. I was the only one who could stand up to him and say, hey boss, this can’t work. It is a praise-and-worship choir and I could not fit in it.”