Questions are emerging within the United Opposition after two separate State of the Nation statements were released on Thursday, fuelling concern over unity in the camp on the eve of the 62nd Jamhuri Day celebrations.
While leaders at a Nairobi briefing sought to show a united front, the absence of several key principals and the later release of a second statement signalled growing unease in the movement.
During the briefing, leaders criticised President William Ruto’s administration for what they described as a quiet sale of public assets without involving citizens, warning that such actions were disrespectful to the country’s long-fought sovereignty.
They accused the government of pushing deals that undermine public interest as Kenya marks 62 years as a republic.
Those present said the team remained strongly united, even though some top figures were notably missing. PLP leader Martha Karua, Jubilee deputy party leader Fred Matiang’i, and the group’s spokesperson Mukhisa Kituyi did not attend the Nairobi event.
DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa, who delivered the coalition’s statement, dismissed speculation that the outfit was breaking apart.
"You remember when we started here on the 27th of January, Gachagua and Kalonzo were… Matiangi was not there but he sent Senator Onyonka, today, he sent Senator Orwoba here… treat those as rumours. We are united and set on the goal," he said.
However, only hours after the briefing, another group of opposition leaders who skipped the Chui House event issued their own communiqué from a different venue. The two statements carried nearly similar messages, but the lack of coordination has raised questions on whether the centre of the opposition remains intact.
Sources indicated that the absent leaders had been in a separate closed-door meeting, said to be receiving new members into the fold. Reached on phone, Kituyi said he was out of town, adding that some principals had ignored the scheduled briefing without notice.
“What used to be Raila phobia has become Rigathi phobia. They want to divide Gachagua and Kalonzo, Gachagua and Wamalwa. We will not allow it," said Wamalwa.
The leaders also renewed their criticism of the President, accusing him of handing the country’s control to foreign interests. They claimed the government was trying to dispose of state assets for the benefit of external buyers.
"We stopped them when they were trying to auction JKIA. If outsiders are trying to buy Kenyan assets without we, the people, we want to tell them they will be counter mandated," Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka said.
Wamalwa added, “Safaricom had its 15% of its shares sold at a fraction of its true value. KPC, the lifeline of our Kenyan energy sector, also faced the same effect. This is neocolonialism and a quiet neocolonialism.”
They accused President Ruto of misleading Kenyans through major project announcements that have not materialised. “Those who are using the Nairobi–Nakuru Highway, as you go to Christmas, you will notice there’s only a signboard at Rironi–Mau Summit. There’s no work ongoing. Those are lies by William Ruto," DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua stated.
His DP counterpart, Justin Muturi, added: “If you ever see William Ruto pursuing a matter that on the face of it appears to be of the benefit of the public, please be careful.”
President Ruto will lead national celebrations at Nyayo National Stadium on Friday.
