Democratic Party of Kenya leader Justine Muturi at ATG church in Kamulu, Machakos county on July 5 /HANDOUT
Democratic Party leader Justine Muturi has said he will only support Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka for the presidency if he fails to secure the United Opposition's presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Muturi's remarks add a fresh twist to the ongoing contest within the opposition coalition, where several principals have declared interest in the presidential ticket even as they publicly insist they will unite behind a single candidate to face President William Ruto.
"If I'm not selected as the presidential candidate, the only other principal in the United Opposition I can support is Kalonzo. Let's stop beating around the bush," Muturi said.
His declaration comes as the opposition coalition, comprising Kalonzo, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, People's Liberation Party leader Martha Karua, DAP-Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa and former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i, continues nationwide rallies under the banner of a united front against the Kenya Kwanza administration.
The coalition has also been calling on leaders aligned to the ODM "Linda Mwananchi" faction, including Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, to work with the alliance ahead of the 2027 polls.
Although the opposition has repeatedly pledged to field a single presidential candidate, the process of identifying that candidate remains unresolved, with several principals either openly declaring interest or being fronted by allies.
Muturi's endorsement of Kalonzo as his preferred alternative contrasts with the public position taken by other coalition leaders, who have largely maintained that they will support whoever is eventually selected through an agreed process.
Karua, who has declared interest in becoming the coalition's presidential candidate, has previously said she would support another candidate if she is not chosen, but ruled out serving as a running mate.
"I will not be a running mate. I will do my best to be that united opposition candidate, but should somebody else be chosen, I am willing to support them without being their running mate," she said during an interview on Citizen TV.
Karua has also pushed for a formal coalition agreement to govern the selection of the opposition's flag bearer and bind all principals to support the eventual nominee.
"I long for the day that we will have a written document as the opposition rules of the game, which everybody signs, committing to abide by those rules and support whoever is selected," she said.
She argued that such an agreement should also be accompanied by a joint manifesto outlining the coalition's shared policy priorities regardless of who emerges as its presidential candidate.
The debate over the coalition's leadership has also drawn proposals from allies of other opposition figures.
Over the weekend, Democracy for Citizens Party deputy leader Cleophas Malala proposed Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna as the opposition's running mate, saying the Western region should be considered for the deputy presidency if it does not produce the presidential candidate.
Malala said opposition leaders should first agree on a single presidential flag bearer before settling on the deputy presidential candidate.
"We as the Luhya community have said we are not asking for the presidency. We are reserving the deputy presidency. Whether the opposition settles on Kalonzo, Gachagua or Matiang'i as its presidential candidate, those who do not get the ticket should support the chosen candidate," he said.
He proposed Sifuna for the position but added that if the senator was not considered, another leader from the region, including Eugene Wamalwa, should be given the opportunity.
The United Opposition has yet to announce the criteria or timeline for selecting its presidential candidate, even as its leaders intensify joint political rallies across the country and position themselves ahead of the 2027 General Election.
