Parallel statements expose deepening rift in 'United Opposition'
United Opposition leaders issued two rival State of the Nation statements in Nairobi, exposing internal rifts. Analysts warn the disunity could weaken efforts to challenge President William Ruto.
The decision by United Opposition leaders to issue two parallel statements on the state of the country has exposed the backroom wars and widening rift, tearing the movement apart.
The development, analysts warn, could easily hand President William Ruto, their main rival, a second term.
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The United Opposition on Thursday released two separate State of the Nation statements, even as several top principals were conspicuously absent from a media briefing in Nairobi.
Despite attempts by the principals to downplay talk of divisions, the differences, which have recently spilt into the public domain, now appear undeniable.
Collectively, the leaders criticised President Ruto’s administration for what they termed a “silent auction” of the country’s strategic assets without public participation, even as Kenya marks 62 years as a republic.
During the briefing, the principals presented a united front on the eve of the Jamhuri Day celebrations. Yet key figures, PLP party leader Martha Karua, Jubilee deputy party leader Dr Fred Matiang’i, and the coalition’s spokesperson Mukhisa Kituyi, were absent.
DAP-K party leader Eugene Wamalwa, who read the joint statement on behalf of the principals, dismissed claims of internal cracks.
“You remember when we started here on January 27, Gachagua and Kalonzo were here, but Matiang’i wasn't; he sent Senator Onyonka. Today, he sent Senator Orwoba here… treat those as rumours. We are united and set on the goal,” he said.
However, just hours after the United Opposition’s statement, another communiqué, issued by the wing that skipped the Chui House event, was released, complete with photos taken at a different venue.
Jubilee Party Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni told The Eastleigh Voice that the coalition’s strength depends on how individual parties maintain cohesion.
“The opposition is as strong as its individual parties,” Kioni said.
Although the two statements were similar in content, the lack of coordination has raised fresh questions about whether the opposition’s centre still holds.
Those absent from the briefing reportedly held a separate closed-door meeting to receive new members into the coalition.
Contacted by phone, Dr Kituyi said he was out of town, adding that some principals had skipped the event without apology.
“What used to be Raila phobia has become Rigathi phobia. They want to divide Gachagua, Kalonzo and Wamalwa. We will not allow it,” Wamalwa said.
The team also intensified its criticism of President Ruto, accusing him of “modern-day neocolonialism” and auctioning the country’s sovereignty without citizens’ consent.
“We stopped them when they were trying to auction JKIA. If outsiders are trying to buy Kenyan assets without us - the people - we want to tell them they will be countermandated,” Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka said.
Wamalwa added, “Safaricom had 15 per cent of its shares sold at a fraction of their true value. KPC, the lifeline of our energy sector, also faced the same effect. This is neocolonialism - quiet neocolonialism.”
The leaders further warned Kenyans against being misled by President Ruto.
“Those using the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway as you go for Christmas will notice there’s only a signboard at Rironi-Mau Summit. There’s no work ongoing. Those are lies by William Ruto,” DCP party leader Rigathi Gachagua said.
His counterpart, Justin Muturi, added: “If you ever see President Ruto pursuing a matter that appears to benefit the public, please be careful.”
According to Professor Macharia Munene, a scholar of history and international relations, the opposition remains divided and deeply suspicious of one another.
“They are already divided and suspicious of each other. They are struggling to unite and have not yet found the right formula. Since none of them wants to become irrelevant, they each scheme to be the accepted leader, which makes Kalonzo uncomfortable. It is a challenge for him to maintain the semblance of unity,” Munene said.
In his view, this disunity could hand President Ruto a second term with minimal resistance and may prove that personal interests are the Achilles’ heel of those seeking to unseat the incumbent.
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