The United Opposition has dismissed President William Ruto’s recent by-election victories as inconsequential, insisting the polls were flawed and offer no insight into the 2027 General Election.
During the second day of their tour in Nakuru County on Saturday, opposition leaders said they intentionally limited their participation in the mini-polls, anticipating an unfair contest.
They reiterated calls for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to act on reforms previously suggested by the opposition before the elections.
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka said the opposition deliberately stayed away from the polls to avoid legitimising a process he described as manipulated.
“I have seen President Ruto chest-thumping about defeating the alternative opposition in the by-elections, but I want to ask him not to celebrate yet because we know what happened. We are not fools to put our energies into something that was already flawed,” Musyoka said.
He claimed the elections amounted to a contest against himself, with Ruto allegedly controlling the outcome.
“In those polls, it was a competition between Ruto and Ruto, so he should stop chest-thumping about defeating the opposition,” he added.
Democratic Action Party leader Eugene Wamalwa highlighted irregularities that, he said, made the opposition disengage.
“Let him stop with his chest-thumping because it is obvious the by-elections were flawed. This is evidenced by the results at Garbatula Polling Station, where the total number of votes was more than the registered voters,” Wamalwa stated.
He said the opposition has given the IEBC until next week to confirm reforms, particularly concerning the electoral technology, as they concentrate on securing a fair environment for the 2027 polls.
The Thursday by-elections were a setback for the opposition.
On November 27, 2025, UDA captured three parliamentary seats—Mbeere North, Banisa, and Malava—while ODM, the ruling party’s ally, won Ugunja, Kilifi South, and Kasipul.
Across 28 contests, the broad-based government took 22 seats, reinforcing UDA’s hold in Mt Kenya, which party insiders interpret as evidence of strong grassroots organization.
Still, the Democratic Congress Party made modest gains, taking Kariobangi North, Narok Town, and Kisa East wards in Kajiado County, while emerging formations linked to Gachagua showed incremental progress in West Kabras.
The opposition’s Nakuru tour included stops in Ahero, Maili Kumi, Bahati, Kabazi, and Subukia, where they engaged supporters and outlined their strategy against the government.
DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua, a former deputy president, urged residents to join the movement to ensure Ruto serves only one term, accusing him of mismanagement.
Gachagua claimed Ruto has misled citizens and overseen the looting of public resources via proxies and cartels, leaving many Kenyans in poverty.
He further alleged that Ruto has harmed Kenya’s international reputation by associating with individuals indicted for genocide and endangered citizens by issuing national identity cards and passports to foreigners.
Governor Natembeya, who resigned as Rift Valley Regional Commissioner to enter politics, said the opposition’s main aim is to remove President Ruto from office.
