Jubilee, DCP Parties Reject Kalonzo’s New Political Plan as Cracks Emerge in Opposition

Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka’s efforts to unite opposition leaders under The Ukombozi Alliance ahead of the 2027 General Election have encountered fresh resistance from a section of Jubilee Party leaders and allies of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

The leaders have questioned the proposed arrangement, signalling that efforts to build a united opposition against President William Ruto could face further challenges over leadership positions, political influence and the structure of a possible coalition.

According to The Star, Kalonzo’s team had proposed that Gachagua take over as chairman of the alliance’s council following the exit of former President Uhuru Kenyatta from the position. However, the offer has failed to convince some of Gachagua’s allies, who believe the proposed role does not reflect his political standing.

Embakasi North MP James Gakuya, a close ally of Gachagua, described the council chairmanship as insufficient for a politician of the former deputy president’s stature. He argued that Gachagua should not accept the position unless he is given greater influence over the political outfit.

Gatanga MP Edward Muriu also indicated that the immediate priority of Gachagua’s Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) was to strengthen its grassroots support before entering negotiations with other opposition parties.

Muriu maintained that DCP wanted to consolidate its political base and eventually engage other leaders in discussions aimed at building a formidable coalition capable of challenging Ruto in the next election.

The position reflects the growing differences between Kalonzo’s camp and Gachagua’s allies over how opposition parties should approach the 2027 contest. While Kalonzo is seeking to expand Ukombozi by bringing more political formations on board, DCP has maintained that it wants to establish its strength before committing to an alliance.

DCP deputy party leader Cleophas Malala has also ruled out the party joining Ukombozi in its current form. He has instead suggested that Gachagua’s party could work with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna before negotiating with other opposition groups.

Under the proposed approach, DCP and Sifuna would remain separate political forces while exploring an agreement with Ukombozi on how to challenge the ruling administration in 2027.

Meanwhile, Jubilee deputy party leader Jeremiah Kioni has questioned the party’s continued involvement in the Azimio-Ukombozi arrangement. He has called for a new political vehicle that would bring opposition leaders together through a more inclusive framework.

Kioni’s remarks add another complication to Kalonzo’s efforts to secure support from influential political figures as the opposition begins positioning itself for the next presidential election.

The Ukombozi Alliance is a rebranded version of the Azimio La Umoja coalition, which sponsored the late Raila Odinga’s presidential bid in the 2022 General Election. Kalonzo currently leads the alliance and is seeking to bring additional parties into the formation.

Uhuru’s departure from the council chairmanship had created an opportunity to reorganise the coalition’s leadership. However, the disagreement over Gachagua’s proposed role demonstrates that reaching an agreement on leadership may not be straightforward.

Gachagua has previously indicated that he wants his party to consolidate its support before engaging in coalition negotiations. His allies have similarly argued that political partnerships should be based on electoral strength rather than simply the number of parties involved.

The emerging differences could complicate efforts to establish a common opposition platform against Ruto. With the 2027 election approaching, the parties must navigate competing ambitions and agree on a structure that accommodates their leaders without undermining their individual political interests.

Whether Kalonzo can persuade Gachagua’s camp and Jubilee to support the Ukombozi initiative remains uncertain, as opposition leaders continue to debate the best strategy for presenting a united challenge to the government.

Link; https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2026-10-09-jubilee-and-gachagua-allies-reject-kalonzos-ukombozi-coalition-plan?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAcGRvZgRzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8yNzUyNTQ2OTI1OTgyNzkAAR7xO7CKBpWj7zF52R_zEgsGfkflPr6FmbYFF85FOpB3Hder0iIGq-cfUx3yxg_aem_kpO6bCZj5oDzWuK8BP-NRQ

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