Wamalwa hints at major opposition coalition ahead of 2027 elections

Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) Eugene Wamalwa has reassured Kenyans that the opposition is quietly working behind the scenes to form a united and formidable political alliance aimed at removing President William Ruto from office in the 2027 general elections.

In an interview with NTV on Monday, April 14, 2025, Wamalwa emphasized that Kenya's political history has shown the risks of division within the opposition.

He pointed to significant past elections to illustrate how a fractured opposition has often allowed incumbents to secure victory.

"I want to tell Kenyans not to lose hope. We are working on a coalition that will send Zakayo home. It’s the way to go because a divided opposition doesn’t," Wamalwa remarked.

He compared President Ruto to former President Daniel arap Moi, highlighting his skills as a political strategist and a follower of Moi’s approach to politics.

He pointed out that during both the 1992 and 1997 multiparty elections, Moi successfully secured the presidency despite a divided opposition, winning with only a plurality of the vote.

"He is a student of Moi. He is a professor of politics. He was able to beat a combined opposition after the multiparty democracy elections in 1992 because Kibaki, Matiba, and Jaramogi were all running separately," he explained.

"In 1997 again, Raila, Wamalwa, and Ngilu were in the race, and Moi still beat them—he got 36 per cent of the votes and defeated a divided opposition."

Wamalwa emphasized that it was only in 2002, when the opposition unified under the National Rainbow Coalition (NARC), that a significant shift in leadership occurred, leading to Mwai Kibaki’s presidency.

"We learned our lesson in 2002. The opposition united, and that’s how we brought about regime change," he said, suggesting that a similar approach is necessary now to end Ruto’s time in office.

The DAP-K party leader further reassured the public that efforts are already in motion to recreate the 2002 scenario, emphasizing that the coalition being formed will be both strong and capable of securing a win in the first round.

"We have learned our lessons for 2027, and we know he will attempt to divide us—but we are putting together a team that will send Ruto home, in round one, on August 10, 2027," he confidently asserted.

In March 2025, Wamalwa addressed why the opposition continues to focus on President William Ruto in their discussions.

On his official X account, Wamalwa explained that one cannot discuss oppression without acknowledging the oppressor and their oppressive policies.

He further stated that the opposition would not cease critiquing President Ruto’s high taxes, failed policies, widespread corruption, tribalism, nepotism, and cronyism as he might prefer.

“Freedom is not granted by the oppressor; it is demanded by the oppressed, as Martin Luther King Jr. once said. You cannot discuss oppression without addressing the oppressor and their oppressive actions, just as you cannot preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ without mentioning the Devil," Wamalwa’s statement read in part.

"Therefore, we will not stop highlighting Zakayo and his harsh taxes, failed policies, endemic corruption, tribalism, nepotism, and cronyism."