Matiang'i joins Gachagua, Kalonzo team in talks for new coalition

A host of opposition politicians on Tuesday met in Nairobi, signalling the formation of a new coalition to challenge President William Ruto in 2027.

The meeting at a Karen hotel saw the entry of new faces to an alliance led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, People Liberation Party’s Martha Karua and Democratic Action Party-Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa.

The Standard has established that the meeting aimed at welcoming former Cabinet Secretaries Fred Matiang’i, Justin Muturi and Mithika Linturi to the opposition side, which is learning to adapt without former Prime Minister Raila Odinga who chose to join the Kenya Kwanza government.

Also in attendance was former UNCTAD Secretary General Mukhisa Kituyi and former Planning Principal Secretary Saitoti Torome, Jubilee’s chairperson.

Matiang’i, who is said to harbor interests in the presidency in the next polls, landed in Kenya from the US nearly two weeks ago and has held several engagements about his ambitions. He has largely kept a low profile since, holding closed-door meetings.

The former Interior CS is a favourite among politicians from his local community and former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee Party. Its Secretary General, Jeremiah Kioni, has said Matiang’i, also linked to the United Progressive Alliance Party, would be party's candidate.

The politicians discussed initial plans about establishing a formation solid enough to oust the Head of State, and are reportedly open to wooing more on their side. In recent weeks, there has been talk to craft a coalition that would mirror the 2002 Narc behemoth that ended Kanu’s four-decade reign.

On her social media, Karua captioned an image of the meeting: “Welcoming our brothers.” On his part, Kalonzo said: “A very good morning and welcome on board. This is the team that will komboa Kenya.”

Gachagua, who is set to form his party in two weeks, was equally emphatic about the coalition’s potential to challenge Ruto.

“The team to liberate Kenya gets bigger every day. Welcome, Dr Fred Matiangi, Hon JB Muturi and Hon Mithika Linturi. You are on the right side of history,” he stated.

Matiang’i’s base of Kisii and Nyamira produced more than 600,000 votes in the last election, with more cast in Raila’s favour.

Muturi, recently sacked from the Cabinet, has been critical of the President, painting him as corrupt and running a dictatorship. A statement released after the meeting showed they plan to hit hard at Ruto over his human rights record.

"We will not stand idly by as Kenya is dragged into darkness. We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to defending the Constitution, protecting the rights of every Kenyan, and resisting tyranny in all its forms. Justice must be served. Accountability must prevail. Kenya must be saved," they side in a terse statement.

With Muturi and Linturi on board, the budding formation hopes to ring-fence the Mt Kenya East vote, which, added to the larger Mt Kenya vote, yielded some 3.8 million votes in 2022.

Kalonzo’s Ukambani region managed one million votes, while Wamalwa and Kituyi’s Western backyard is enticing for its potential to tilt an election.

If they can secure their respective backyards to the fullest, the coalition could start with a five-million-vote strong margin, which must cause headaches to any challenger. However, that would depend on whether they can tame their respective ambitions and back one candidate.

Beating Ruto will not be a walk in the park, especially with Raila’s backing. Both politicians hold significant sway and could match the more than five million votes the opposition could potentially raise by rallying their traditional bases.

Saboti MP Caleb Amisi said Matiang’i had made a wrong move by joining the Kalonzo-Gachagua axis too soon.

“Mistake number ONE committed. Do not jump into coalitions' photo sessions without knowing what each party stands for in terms of ideology, political history, and their respective benefactors. I swear one person there can be a current or future or potential Kasongo protégé, the Internet shall never forget,” he posted on X.

Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa dismissed the new outfit: “The toxic mix of misinformation, disinformation, and blatant lies defines the weak narratives of and their new cabal. Anyone can see they’re no match for William Ruto.”

Away from their backyards, the new team seeks to capitalise on the growing dissent against Ruto among young voters. Last year, Generation Z protesters staged a revolt against tax hikes, bringing the Kenya Kwanza administration to its knees.

On X, it was evident yesterday that their work is cut out for them in convincing young voters to their corner, especially since they are largely considered part of Kenya’s rotten system.

“Is this what Gen Zs died for? Is this the future we wanted?" said activist Morara Kebaso. “This is unity without vision, unity without purpose. I urge all the young people of Kenya to reject this coalition of tumbocrats and projects funded by the guy who stole six trillion from this nation. Let all young leaders come together and chart a new path for Kenya. I am ready to sit down with progressive leaders who lack the experience of theft. We will not recycle the problem to solve the problem.”