Kenya Left Alliance sets sights on 2027 elections with ballot revolution
The alliance says it wants to break the grip of the political class it accuses of trapping Kenyans in poverty, unemployment and exploitation.
The Kenya Left Alliance (KLA), a new coalition of social justice organisations, has declared it will compete for every elective seat in the 2027 general elections.
The alliance says it wants to break the grip of the political class it accuses of trapping Kenyans in poverty, unemployment, and exploitation for decades.
“KLA is a bold, ambitious and urgent call to action for a national democratic revolution. Our ballot revolution heralds a new phase of political organizing by the Kenyan left,” said Nduko o’Matigere, National Chairperson and Party Leader of the Ukweli Party, one of the coalition’s affiliates.
The grouping describes itself as a “socialist, feminist, pan-Africanist and anti-imperialist coalition uniting progressive political parties, movements, and individuals.”
Its first national delegates congress on Saturday brought together activists and representatives of member organisations, including Kongamano La Mapinduzi, Social Justice Centre, and the Ukweli Party.
Wanjira Wanjiru, co-founder of the Mathare Social Justice Centre, said the gathering marked a turning point for grassroots movements.
“This congress marks the start of a nationwide campaign for liberation from the anti-people politics of oppression,” she said.
The alliance also took aim at the post-Gen Z uprising deal between President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza Alliance and Raila Odinga’s ODM, accusing both of betraying citizens.
“In response to the people’s rebellion, Kenya’s two most powerful and corrupt political cartels – Kenya Kwanza and ODM – united in their shared greed for power and wealth, only differing in the targets of their ethnicity-based politics,” said activist Sungu Oyoo.
KLA leaders said their agenda seeks to unite Kenyans beyond ethnicity and age differences under a shared struggle for justice. They outlined priorities including access to jobs, healthcare, education, land, water, and food.
“This ballot revolution is the only way to permanently banish from our governance the caretakers of imperialism and neocolonialism that have ruled for the last six decades,” said social justice advocate Sefu Sanni.
The alliance said its manifesto will focus on rebuilding Kenya’s industrial and agricultural capacity as a way of creating opportunities for the youth.
It also invited citizens to register as members, volunteers, mobilisers, and candidates under the Ukweli Party, which was founded by activist Boniface Mwangi.
