The United Opposition is set to hold a crucial two-day meeting starting February 12, 2025, aimed at formalising its coalition identity and preparing for the 2027 elections.
Eugene Wamalwa, leader of the Democratic Action Party, said the retreat will be a defining moment for the alliance, where leaders will build the coalition’s structures, form committees, strengthen their political image, and officially settle on a coalition name.
Speaking on Thursday, January 29, 2026, during a radio interview, Wamalwa highlighted that the retreat will also guide the coalition in establishing rules for choosing a presidential candidate to challenge President William Ruto.
The two-day gathering will also see the leaders plan a nationwide campaign to encourage citizens, particularly young people, to register as voters and participate actively in the upcoming elections.
“As a coalition, we are going for a retreat on February 12 and 13 to set our structures, form our committees, agree on the name of our coalition, and settle on the formula for picking our flag bearer”
Flag bearer selection process
Wamalwa said the coalition will decide on its presidential candidate six months before the general election. One candidate will be picked from the six principals, and all other leaders will then unite behind that person to campaign against the current administration.
“Our pick for a presidential flag bearer will take shape six months before the General Election. We will only choose a candidate that Kenyans want, one who has no corruption-related cases, no blood on his hands, and no questionable character, and who must also have a proven track record.”
He stressed that the coalition aims to introduce a new standard in Kenyan politics, nominating a candidate with a clean record, free from court cases and corruption allegations, a move he says will set them apart from both previous elections and opponents.
Kalonzo Musyoka, another senior figure in the alliance, had earlier suggested naming the coalition’s presidential candidate within the first quarter of 2026, a proposal that former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua opposed.
Rebranding plans
The retreat follows Kalonzo Musyoka’s proposal to rename the coalition as ‘Komboa Kenya’. He said the group intends to rescue the country from what he described as an oppressive government that has ignored the hardships faced by ordinary citizens.
The coalition has faced criticism for focusing more on internal meetings than engaging directly with communities, a situation leaders hope to address with the upcoming retreat and nationwide mobilisation effort.
