Kenya’s opposition leaders have announced that plans to front a single presidential candidate to face President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election are at an advanced stage, signaling renewed efforts toward political unity ahead of the next polls.
In a joint statement read by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, the process of consolidating political forces into one formidable front was on course, describing ongoing by-elections as a “dress rehearsal” for the broader strategy to unite behind one flag bearer.
“The formula for getting a single presidential candidate to face William Ruto is on course. And for those who have been in doubt, what is happening in these by-elections is a dress rehearsal of the formula and the mechanism to get a single presidential candidate to face William Ruto,” Gachagua said on Monday.
According to the leaders, the unity drive is being shaped by growing public demand for a cohesive opposition capable of challenging the Kenya Kwanza administration.
“We want to assure the people of Kenya—come rain or shine—we are determined, as instructed by Kenyans, to present one single presidential candidate. We have received clear instructions from the people to agree on one candidate who will face William Ruto and liberate our country,” they declared.
The opposition bloc outlined its priorities under a unified front, including restoring economic dignity, fighting corruption, ending extrajudicial killings, and ensuring the responsible management of public resources.
“The people of Kenya want a leadership that will restore the dignity of the pay slip, bring an end to bribery and corruption, and stop mismanagement of public funds. They also want justice and an end to the era of abductions and extrajudicial killings,” the leaders said.
They emphasized that the move to unite was not motivated by political self-interest but by the will of ordinary Kenyans who have expressed frustration with the current government’s policies and governance record.
“It will happen, and that will be the candidate of the people of Kenya,” they said confidently.
In a direct message to President Ruto, the opposition leaders accused him of celebrating the absence of longtime political rival Raila Odinga, who passed away recently, claiming that the struggle for change transcends individual figures.
“So, William Ruto, much as you seem to celebrate the death of Raila Odinga, saying you are happy that you have no other opponent—your opponent is not ourselves. It is the people of Kenya united,” they asserted.
This was in response to recent remarks by the president who said that he his only competition was the late former Prime Minister.
