Kenya’s Opposition Parties Unite Under New ‘United Opposition’ Coalition Ahead of By-Elections

 

By Phanice Rono 

Kenya’s opposition parties have joined forces under a new coalition known as the United Opposition, aiming to challenge President William Ruto’s UDA party in the upcoming November 27 by-elections.

The coalition leaders said they are no longer willing to compete against one another while the ruling party benefits from their divisions. They have agreed to field joint candidates in all contested seats to avoid splitting votes and to strengthen their position ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In Malava Constituency, the coalition has settled on former nurses’ union boss Seth Panyako of DAP-K as its candidate after Edgar Busiega from the DCP party stepped down in his favour. In Mbeere, Newton Karish of the Democratic Party will represent the coalition, while in Magarini, Stanley Kenga of DCP was chosen after Wiper’s Nzai Samuel agreed to step aside.

The alliance brings together DAP-K, Wiper, DCP, and the Democratic Party. During the coalition’s launch, one of the leaders said that the president’s main opponents are not political figures but ordinary Kenyans who want change. They emphasized that the coalition’s focus is on unity and cooperation rather than competition.

The announcement came just days after President Ruto declared that Raila Odinga remains his main challenger ahead of 2027 — a statement that appears to have pushed smaller opposition parties to join hands and demonstrate their continued relevance in national politics.

However, the new partnership has already faced some criticism. In Magarini, ODM national chairperson Gladys Wanga accused the coalition of excluding her party’s candidate, Harrison Kombe, and promoting what she described as tribal politics.

The upcoming by-elections will be a crucial test for the United Opposition. Success could encourage the coalition to maintain its unity and momentum heading into 2027, while poor results might expose lingering divisions within the opposition.

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