Opposition Leaders Set to Sign Unity Pact Behind Single 2027 Presidential Candidate in Bid to Unseat Ruto
Kenya’s opposition leaders are preparing to sign a binding political pact committing themselves to support a single presidential candidate in the 2027 General Election, in what is shaping up to be a major strategy aimed at avoiding divisions and strengthening their challenge against President William Ruto.
The revelation was made by Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa during an interview on Citizen TV on Sunday, June 21.
According to Wamalwa, parties allied under the United Opposition banner have already established a technical team composed of experts from various political formations to draft a formal agreement that will guide the coalition’s operations ahead of the next General Election.
The former Cabinet Secretary said the proposed pact would require all coalition principals to commit in writing to support whoever emerges as the coalition’s presidential flagbearer, regardless of individual ambitions.
“I want to assure the country we have already formed a technical team where all parties have seconded experts, and they are already working on what needs to be done in terms of documents we all need to sign to commit that if it is not me, then I will be able to support whoever is chosen,” Wamalwa stated.
He emphasized that the agreement would apply equally to every leader within the coalition, including the individual eventually selected to carry the opposition ticket.
“If I happen to be given the honour to carry that flag, then I will expect the support of all my colleagues in the opposition, including those with us and those coming to join us,” he added.
Wamalwa compared the emerging opposition alliance to the National Rainbow Coalition (NARC), whose united front secured a historic victory in the 2002 General Election and ended KANU’s nearly four decades in power.
“All for one and one for all, that is the spirit that made us succeed in 2002, and those who are doubting us, I can tell them the 2002 NARC movement win will be the pathway come 2027,” he said.
His remarks come amid growing speculation over who will ultimately lead the opposition coalition into the 2027 presidential contest.
Several prominent figures have been linked to the position, including Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, former Attorney General Justin Muturi, Jubilee Party’s Fred Matiang’i, DAP-K’s Eugene Wamalwa, and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
The presence of multiple high-profile contenders has fuelled concerns that internal competition could trigger divisions within the coalition, potentially weakening its chances against President Ruto’s re-election bid.
However, opposition leaders have repeatedly insisted that unity remains their top priority and have publicly pledged to rally behind a single candidate once the selection process is concluded.
The latest developments also come as former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua recently announced a 45-day political consultation period, saying he would use the time to engage supporters, political allies, and stakeholders as discussions continue on the opposition’s strategy and leadership structure ahead of the 2027 elections.
With just over a year before the country enters full campaign mode, the proposed unity pact is expected to be a key test of whether Kenya’s fragmented opposition can successfully consolidate its support and mount a formidable challenge to President William Ruto’s administration in the next General Election.
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