Opposition Leaders Warned Against Repeating Mistakes of Kibaki’s Coalition

Kenya’s opposition leaders have been urged to learn from the 2002 political alliance that brought former President Mwai Kibaki to power, with calls for a united opposition built on clear agreements, constitutional principles and a shared development agenda.

In an opinion article published by the Daily Nation on October 24, 2026, columnist Lewis Ngunyi argues that opposition unity alone may not be enough to deliver lasting political change unless leaders agree on how they intend to govern the country.

The article draws parallels between the emerging opposition alliance ahead of the 2027 General Election and the National Rainbow Coalition (NARC), which defeated KANU in December 2002 after Raila Odinga declared his support for Kibaki using the famous phrase “Kibaki Tosha.”

The declaration helped unite several opposition leaders behind one presidential candidate, ending KANU’s decades-long hold on power.

However, the coalition later experienced internal disagreements over power-sharing arrangements and constitutional reforms. Its collapse exposed the risks of political alliances whose members have different expectations about leadership positions and the distribution of government responsibilities.

Ngunyi argues that the current opposition should avoid repeating these mistakes as leaders explore ways of challenging President William Ruto in the next election.

The emerging opposition grouping includes Democracy for the Citizens Party leader Rigathi Gachagua, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i and other political figures.

Recent meetings between Gachagua and Sifuna have fuelled speculation about a possible political arrangement, although the opposition has yet to settle on a common presidential candidate.

The columnist warns that individual ambitions could weaken the coalition if leaders concentrate on securing the presidency, deputy presidency and Cabinet positions instead of developing a common programme.

He proposes that opposition leaders make their agreements public and establish clear commitments on constitutionalism, accountability, judicial independence and the management of public resources.

According to the article, Kenyans should also assess potential leaders based on their records rather than campaign promises, particularly their willingness to respect the Constitution and comply with court decisions.

The argument comes as economic concerns and dissatisfaction with the government continue to feature in political debates ahead of the 2027 elections.

Ngunyi maintains that public frustration with the incumbent administration could help unite opposition supporters, but warns that dissatisfaction alone cannot provide a credible alternative government.

He concludes that the lessons of the Kibaki era go beyond choosing a single presidential candidate. For the opposition to succeed, its leaders must agree on both how to win power and how to exercise it responsibly after the election.

Link; https://nation.africa/kenya/blogs-opinion/opinion/opposition-must-learn-from-kibaki-tosha–5643722#story?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=NTV+Socials

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