Saboti MP Caleb Amisi has called on Kenya’s opposition to conduct a transparent presidential nomination to select a single flag bearer to face President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election, warning against picking a candidate through boardroom deals.
Speaking on NTV on Monday, Amisi said a competitive process involving all presidential hopefuls would help prevent dissent within the opposition and give voters a say in choosing the person to lead the coalition.
“If we are serious of changing this country through the United Opposition, we must have a presidential nomination,” Amisi said.
He warned that settling on a candidate behind closed doors could trigger defections and competing campaigns, weakening the opposition’s chances against President Ruto.
“If you choose a flag bearer in a boardroom, Ruto will come back because there'll be dissenting voices,” he said.
Amisi cited the Orange Democratic Movement’s 2007 nomination at Kasarani as an example of how a coalition should settle on its presidential candidate.
“ODM, the Orange Democratic Movement under Raila. The reason why they removed Moi, they carried a presidential nomination. We had Raila, we had William Ruto, we had Musalia, we had Najib Balala. They went to Kasarani and they selected Raila,” he said.
He proposed holding a similar process involving delegates from across the country once the opposition aspirants have been identified.
“We need to take delegates to the Raila Odinga Stadium when it gets completed. Parade all these people at one time, and they elect one person,” he said.
Amisi said the opposition should not underestimate the importance of emerging political movements and younger leaders, arguing that voters were increasingly demanding an alternative to the established political order.
He also reiterated his support for Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and said the latter should be considered alongside other presidential hopefuls during the nomination process.
The call comes as opposition leaders continue efforts to unite behind a single candidate to challenge President Ruto. The United Opposition has previously said it intends to identify a single flag bearer, while recent discussions have focused on how to settle the contest among leading aspirants.
Those who have expressed presidential ambitions include Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Jubilee Party’s Fred Matiang’i, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua, PLP leader Martha Karua and DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa.
Sifuna has also signalled plans to seek a new political vehicle for his 2027 presidential bid.
The race remains fluid, with recent polling showing Kalonzo, Matiang’i and Sifuna as the leading figures in the opposition political divide.