Opposition Leaders to Back One Presidential Candidate in 2027, Says Eugene Wamalwa
“We all qualify to occupy that office, but we cannot all do it at the same time,” Wamalwa said.
DAP Party leader Eugene Wamalwa. Photo/The Star Kenya.
By Robert Mutasi
Democratic Action Party-Kenya (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa has revealed that opposition leaders seeking to challenge President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election have agreed to unite behind a single presidential candidate, in a move aimed at strengthening their chances of forming the next government.
Speaking during a live interview on Citizen TV on Sunday, Wamalwa said the opposition coalition has embraced a spirit of unity inspired by the successful National Rainbow Coalition (Narc) movement that defeated the ruling party in the 2002 General Election.
According to Wamalwa, while several leaders within the opposition alliance are qualified to seek the presidency, they have collectively agreed that only one candidate will eventually carry the coalition’s flag in the race for State House.
“We all qualify to occupy that office, but we cannot all do it at the same time,” Wamalwa said.He explained that the coalition’s members have adopted what he described as the “musketeer spirit”, a commitment where all leaders agree to support the person chosen to lead the alliance.
“Whoever we agree on will only be the first amongst equals and we will all unite behind that candidate. That candidate will be carrying our shared vision, our shared values and the policy changes we want to make to better the lives of Kenyans,” he said.
Wamalwa noted that opposition leaders have been holding consultations and building consensus as they travel across different parts of the country.
He said the discussions have helped strengthen relationships among coalition members and laid the foundation for a united political front ahead of 2027.
Drawing comparisons with the Narc coalition that propelled former President Mwai Kibaki to power in 2002, Wamalwa expressed confidence that history could repeat itself.
“The last principle is that of the musketeer spirit. All for one and one for all. As we have been going around the country, we have been bonding and gelling and we are all agreeing that we all qualify to occupy that office,” he stated.
When asked whether all presidential hopefuls would genuinely support the eventual flag bearer, Wamalwa maintained that unity remains the coalition’s guiding principle.
“Yes, all for one and one for all. That is the spirit, the musketeer spirit that made us succeed in the Narc movement of 2002, and that is the path we will follow,” he said.
The former Defence Cabinet Secretary said skeptics should not underestimate the opposition’s determination, arguing that the coalition is following a blueprint that has previously succeeded in Kenyan politics.
“Those who are doubting us tonight, I can tell them that history is repeating itself. The 2002 Narc movement win is going to be the path we follow in 2027,” Wamalwa declared.
Beyond the question of leadership, Wamalwa said opposition leaders have already reached agreement on key policy priorities they intend to pursue if elected to office.
Among the issues identified by the coalition are governance reforms, challenges facing the health and education sectors, high taxation, insecurity, government wastage and corruption.
“We are agreeing on what needs to be done in terms of dealing with a broken government, the health sector, the education sector and the failing Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda system,” he said.
He accused the current administration of imposing burdensome taxes on citizens and failing to effectively address corruption and insecurity.
“Starting with the taxes that have bled Kenyans white, starting with the corruption that is bleeding Kenya white, the runaway insecurity, the wastage in government and the runaway corruption, all these things we are agreeing on,” he added.
Wamalwa emphasized that the coalition’s agenda would remain unchanged regardless of who eventually secures the presidential ticket.
He mentioned several potential contenders, including Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i.
“It matters not if it is Wamalwa or Kalonzo or whoever else, or Matiang’i. We have agreed on that,” he said.The DAP-K leader further disclosed that the opposition has already established a technical team made up of experts nominated by participating parties.
The team has been tasked with developing the framework that will guide the coalition as it prepares for the next election.He added that coalition members will be required to sign commitments affirming their support for whoever emerges as the presidential candidate.
“If it is not Eugene, I will be ready to support whoever will be the candidate. But also, if I happen to be given the honour of carrying that flag, then I will expect the support of all my colleagues in the opposition,” Wamalwa said.
His remarks come amid growing political realignments and consultations among opposition leaders as preparations for the 2027 General Election gather momentum.
The coalition hopes that a united front, combined with a common policy platform, will position it as a formidable challenger to President William Ruto and the ruling Kenya Kwanza administration.
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