Opposition principals sign unity pact in bid to take on Ruto in 2027

The opposition leaders seeking to form the United Alternative Government have taken a major step towards consolidating their political forces after signing a unity pact committing them to support a single presidential candidate in the 2027 General Election.

Yesterday, the principals signed the Personal Unity Pledge and Coalition Unity Agreement at Windsor Hotel in Kiambu County, pledging to remain united, participate in a credible process to select their presidential candidate and support whoever emerges as the coalition’s flag bearer.

The unity pact now puts the opposition principals under a formal commitment to rally behind one candidate, with the credibility of the agreement likely to be tested as the coalition moves closer to settling on its 2027 presidential flag bearer.

The agreement is intended to prevent internal divisions and rival presidential ambitions from splitting the opposition vote as the coalition seeks to mount a formidable challenge to President William Ruto in 2027.

“We, the principals of the United Alternative Government, meeting at Windsor Hotel in Kiambu County, have today taken a decisive step towards consolidating our unity and presenting the people of Kenya with a credible, democratic and transformative alternative government,” the leaders said in a joint statement.

They said the pact followed “extensive and candid consultations” during which they unanimously agreed to bind themselves to both individual and collective commitments.

“After extensive and candid consultations, we have unanimously agreed to execute a Personal Unity Pledge and a Coalition Unity Agreement, through which each Principal commits individually and collectively to remain united, participate in a credible process of selecting our presidential candidate, and thereafter fully support and campaign for the candidate chosen to carry our common mandate into the 2027 General Election,” they said.

Under the Personal Unity Pledge, each principal has committed to respect collective decisions of the coalition, participate faithfully in the presidential candidate selection process and deploy their political strength and resources in support of the eventual nominee.

The Coalition Unity Agreement establishes what the principals described as a fair, transparent and credible process for selecting their presidential candidate.

They have also undertaken not to undermine the eventual nominee, sponsor rival presidential candidates or engage in activities that could fragment the coalition.

“The Coalition Unity Agreement further binds us to a fair, transparent and credible presidential candidate-selection process and to supporting the eventual nominee regardless of which one of us is selected. We have equally undertaken not to undermine the selected candidate, sponsor rival candidacies or engage in actions calculated to fragment the Coalition,” the leaders said.

The pact comes amid months of negotiations within the opposition over who should carry the coalition’s presidential ticket and how competing political ambitions can be managed.

Although the principals have repeatedly said they intend to field one candidate, disagreements over the leadership structure, influence and candidate-selection formula have raised questions about whether the alliance can remain intact until the 2027 polls.

The latest agreement seeks to address those concerns by committing the principals to accept the outcome of a jointly agreed selection process.

The coalition said the unity drive was also a response to Kenyans seeking an alternative political leadership that places national interests above individual and party ambitions.

“We recognise that millions of Kenyans are looking beyond individual leaders and political parties. They are asking whether those seeking to provide alternative leadership have the courage to put aside personal ambitions, historical differences and partisan considerations in defence of the greater national interest,” the principals said.

“Our answer today is unequivocal: Kenya comes first.”

The pact was signed by Wiper Patriotic Front leader Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka, People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Wangari, Jubilee Deputy Party leader Fred Matiang’i and DCP Deputy Leader Cleophas Malala on behalf of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

Others who signed were Democratic Party of Kenya leader Justin Muturi, Democratic Action Party-Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa, Party of National Unity leader Peter Munya, Devolution Empowerment Party leader Lenny Kivuti and People’s Democratic Party leader Omingo Magara.

Gachagua has previously said opposition leaders had renewed their commitment to field a single presidential candidate in 2027, regardless of the formula eventually agreed upon.

The former Deputy President has also publicly declared his intention to seek the presidency, setting up a potentially competitive contest within the coalition if several principals pursue the ticket.

The opposition unity push comes as political activity intensifies ahead of the 2027 General Election, with parties positioning themselves and negotiating alliances aimed at consolidating regional and national support.

Meanwhile, Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro has stepped up attacks on the Ruto administration, urging President William Ruto to stop criticising retired President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Nyoro accused Ruto of repeatedly dragging Uhuru into his political attacks, saying the former president had retired from active politics after serving the country.

“The other day we saw the President doing an interview, and I want to remind them that Uhuru Kenyatta was not part of this government’s manifesto. Insulting him was not part of the plan of this failed wheelbarrow government,” Nyoro said.

“I want to send a very clear message to this government. Leave Uhuru Kenyatta alone! He is a man who is respected across the whole country. He did his work and retired with grace.”

Nyoro further accused the Kenya Kwanza administration of failing to deliver on its 2022 election promises and told Ruto that he should not wait for the 2027 election to leave office.

“If you feel like you have failed to deliver on the promises you made, you do not have to wait until the 2027 elections. You can do Kenyans a favour by packing your bags and going home now,” he said.