Opposition: We will send Ruto home in 2027 : Opposition leaders

Former Interior CS Fred Matiangi, Eugene Wamalwa and Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka consult at former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua residence at Wamunyoro residence in Nyeri, on 4 April,2025. (Kibata Kihu, Standard) Five opposition leaders currently engaged in coalition talks for the 2027 General Election have dismissed claims that they are tribal and lack direction. Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i, and party leaders Martha Karua (PLP) and Eugene Wamalwa (DAP-Kenya) said yesterday that they have a clear vision for the country's future. The leaders rejected President William Ruto's accusation that they are attempting to divide the nation along ethnic lines and have no tangible development agenda. "I see some people holding meetings, saying they are forming a party. But for four hours, all they talk about is William Ruto. Now I ask them, is that party they are forming mine? Is it called William Ruto?" the President remarked last month. In response, the opposition leaders said they were united in a mission to restore public trust in government and to end extrajudicial killings, land grabbing, and the looting of public resources. Speaking at a political event at Gachagua's home in Wamunyoro, Nyeri, the leaders accused President Ruto of being behind the killing of anti-government protesters last year and the recent shooting of five people by security forces in Ang'atta, Narok. "We have the will, the capacity, the capability, and, most importantly, the justification to send you home. Ruto was rated as the most corrupt President in Africa and second globally. To end graft in our country, we must remove him from office," said Wamalwa. He argued that the abductions and extrajudicial killings of government critics provided sufficient grounds for the opposition to unite ahead of the 2027 General Election. Wamalwa also accused President Ruto of using the presidency to advance personal business interests, citing the JKIA-Adani and Adani-Ketraco deals. Karua said the coalition was committed to restoring order in the education, security, and health sectors and warned that the President risks indictment by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for protest-related deaths in 2023 and 2024. "This is a unity of purpose to liberate this country. The door is open to all Kenyans of goodwill who believe in building a better Kenya," she said. Addressing critics who claim the coalition is only focused on capturing power, Karua said: "It is Kenyans who placed the wrong people in office. This time, we shall consult widely to ensure we do not repeat that mistake." Matiang'i called on the public to trust the emerging opposition alliance, saying that they are ready to offer credible leadership and restore confidence in government institutions. "We are ready to liberate this country. Some people questioned whether I was serious about returning to public life. I told them I have been serious all my life. I'm ready to fight the vices in our society so that people can trust their leaders again," said Matiang'i. He added: "When the time comes, you will see how a country should be run. We must clean up our systems and restore the dignity of government, so that when a leader makes a promise, you can sleep knowing it will be kept." Matiang'i expressed confidence that the nascent alliance would hold together through to the 2027 elections and produce the next President. "They'd better bet on something else. We will not be divided. We will remain strong and united until 2027 and beyond," he said, accusing rivals of playing the tribal card to isolate certain communities. Gachagua said his decision to join forces with leaders across the political divide was motivated by a sense of responsibility to rescue the country from economic hardship and political betrayal. "We have come together to liberate this nation. This is not about power-it is about restoring dignity and fairness in governance. We are here on a deliberate and urgent mission," he said. He also warned President Ruto against trying to divide or isolate the Mt Kenya region politically. "He wants to isolate Mt Kenya, just as he did in 2007. He was the mastermind then, and he's trying again-but it won't work this time. The mountain that made you President will make you a one-term President. That is what we must do," he said. Gachagua also accused the President of attempting to buy off local MPs to weaken regional unity. "He may have bought our MPs, but not our people. The real leaders are here. He tried to divide Mt Kenya East from Mt Kenya West-but he failed," Gachagua said. In defence of former President Uhuru Kenyatta, Gachagua said he would not allow any further attacks from leaders allied to Ruto. "Uhuru Kenyatta is one of our own. It is my responsibility to ensure that no one insults a leader from the mountain under my watch," he said. He added that despite past political differences, Uhuru remains a respected elder who deserves dignity. "If anyone comes here to insult Uhuru again, I will instruct the women to shout them down. We must protect our own," he said. Former UDA Secretary-General Cleophas Malala accused both President Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga of betrayal and political deception. Malala claimed that President Ruto had personally instructed him to amend the UDA party constitution, which he refused leading, he said, to his ouster from the party. "The President told me to change the UDA constitution to allow two deputy party leaders, but I declined. That's why I was removed," said Malala. He defended Gachagua, calling his impeachment politically motivated, and accused Raila of exploiting youth protests last year for personal gain. "Raila is no different from Ruto-both are political conmen. He led Gen Z demonstrations where lives were lost, then quietly joined government without demanding compensation for the victims," he said. Malala also warned the Mt Kenya region about a covert plan to divide it through the proliferation of parties aligned to Ruto. "There is a plan to flood Mt Kenya with new political parties-all loyal to Ruto. Don't be fooled. The people must stay alert," he said. Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga stated that the Mt Kenya region no longer feels indebted to President Ruto. Kahiga said the community gave the President overwhelming support in the 2022 election, only to be betrayed in return. "As a region, we are not tribal-we supported him, stood by him, and helped him ascend to power. But we owe him nothing. We fulfilled our part and were betrayed," he said. Kahiga added that supporting Ruto's re-election is not an option, and urged the region to rally behind leaders who understand and stand for their people. Other notable politicians at the event included former Cabinet Secretaries Justin Muturi and Mithika Linturi, as well as MPs John Kaguchia (Mukurwe-ini), Benjamin Gathiru (Embakasi Central) and James Gakuya (Embakasi North).

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