Ruto forms formidable campaign network as opposition seeks new alliances

As the 2027 General Election campaigns begin to take shape, the two main political formations have started implementing strategies to marshal support and assemble financial war chests.

President William Ruto’s broad-based coalition has launched an aggressive charm offensive across the country, putting in place what it hopes will be an indomitable campaign network to secure him a second term in office.

Leveraging the power of incumbency, vast financial resources believed to run into billions, and an array of development projects and programmes, the President is spearheading an intricate plan to draw voters back into his fold.

However, the opposition is not resting on its laurels. It has gained momentum following the June 2024 Gen Z protests and the political backlash that followed the impeachment of then Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, particularly in the Mt Kenya region.

There is a lot of activity within the President’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party as part of a strategy to generate a political wave that will be difficult to stop. The party secretariat has lined up a series of events aimed at galvanising grassroots support ahead of 2027.

Following a National Steering Committee meeting chaired by the President yesterday, UDA Secretary-General Hassan Omar announced that the party will conduct repeat elections in selected polling centres in 42 counties on March 7 and March 28.

UDA will also hold a Special National Governing Council (NGC) meeting on January 26, 2026, bringing together thousands of delegates.

“All UDA elected leaders, including governors, deputy governors, senators, Members of the National Assembly, women representatives, East African Legislative Assembly representatives, MCAs and nominated leaders, will attend. The meeting will be chaired by President Ruto at State House, Nairobi,” Omar said.

The NGC will ratify a National Executive Committee resolution authorising the party leader to commence structured negotiations with ODM and will receive a scorecard on the implementation of the government’s manifesto. It will also receive a report from the National Elections Board on grassroots elections.

On the other side, the opposition is closing ranks, strengthening coordination and building robust structures to advance its agenda ahead of the unveiling of a joint presidential candidate.

Determined not to spend another five years in opposition, the factions are seeking new alliances aimed at denying Ruto a second term.

Gachagua’s Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) has ratified its 2026 Plan of Action, with structured engagement with former President Uhuru Kenyatta emerging as a key priority.

The plan was adopted after a three-day leadership retreat in Mombasa, attended by party legislators and senior officials to chart the party’s political and organisational direction.

Insiders say forging alliances with influential figures such as Uhuru is part of DCP’s efforts to build a formidable front against the ruling coalition.

“After a three-day retreat with like-minded legislators, we have ratified the Plan of Action for the year,” Gachagua said, adding that the roadmap outlines how the party will operate in 2026 as it positions itself for broader opposition cooperation.

“I have tasked Senator Cleophas Malala to spearhead the implementation of this plan on behalf of the party,” he added.

President Ruto has also embarked on a strategy to assemble a powerful nationwide campaign team akin to the influential Youth for KANU (YK92), which mobilised support for President Daniel arap Moi in the 1992 elections.

YK92 brought together influential young leaders and business figures across regions and was backed by substantial financial resources under the leadership of Cyrus Jirongo, who died last month.

Ruto has identified regional point-men tasked with dismantling entrenched political kingpins and dominant parties to pave the way for his re-election. These include governors, senators, Cabinet secretaries, MPs, church and community leaders, and even chiefs, charged with promoting the government’s agenda.

In the Gusii region, Kisii Governor and ODM deputy party leader Simba Arati is reportedly leading efforts to galvanise support and counter the growing influence of former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i. Ahead of ODM’s formalisation of a pact with Ruto, Arati has been spearheading grassroots mobilisation, recently leading campaigns in Busia and Nakuru counties.

In the Mt Kenya region, where UDA has faced significant resistance, the President has adopted a multi-pronged approach, working with sympathetic MPs, leaders formerly allied to Azimio, and existing Kenya Kwanza partners.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki is leading the effort alongside Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku and allies such as Moses Kuria and former Murang’a Governor Mwangi wa Iria. Their task is to neutralise Gachagua and his allies, who have eroded UDA’s once-strong support in the region.

In Western Kenya, Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka has been appointed Ruto’s regional campaign coordinator. Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula will serve as his deputy, Teso South MP Mary Emase as secretary, and Vihiga Woman Rep Beatrice Adagala as treasurer.

Lusaka is expected to work with Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa and Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya to counter Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya’s Tawe Movement.

In the North Eastern region, former Mandera Governor and Senator Ali Roba will spearhead voter consolidation efforts.

At the Coast, Mining CS Hassan Joho and Senate Speaker Amason Kingi have been tasked with entrenching government support and edging out rebellious factions.

Political analysts caution that Ruto’s strategy carries risks, particularly in volatile regions such as Western Kenya, where the roles of Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula is unclear.

Professor of Management and Leadership Gitile Naituli said Ruto’s approach of “installing kingpins”, especially in regions that have historically not supported him, is aimed at disrupting traditional voting blocs.

“The President understands that whoever wins in 2027 will do so by engineering the correct regional arithmetic. He is deliberately trying to disrupt existing alliances,” Naituli said.

“He is keen to prevent the unification of the Luhya and Kamba voting blocs, because if that alliance joins forces with Mt Kenya, he would almost certainly face defeat. On the other hand, the opposition must also get its arithmetic right when choosing its flag bearer if it hopes to mount a serious challenge,” he added.