Desperate times and desperate calls by opposition leaders who do not have a single thing for Kenyans if they take power. Nothing. Nada. Seriously? The opposition is telling Kenyans they deserve nothing from them for their country and that is what they are handing over to them in plenty. Good Heavens.
Same tired story from Uhuru Kenyatta and Kirinyaga Woman Representative Njeri Maina calling on opposition leaders to unite behind a single presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The calls were made during the funeral of Mwalimu Jackson Karua, the father of People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua, at Kathande in Gichugu Constituency.
The gathering brought together several opposition leaders, including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s representative, Nyandarua Senator John Methu, Jubilee Party leader Fred Matiang’i, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.
Gachagua, who is currently in the United States, was represented by Methu.
The political focus of the event intensified when Uhuru invited Njeri Maina to address the opposition leaders present.
Maina urged the presidential hopefuls to set aside their differences and agree on one candidate to challenge President William Ruto.
“Let us stop these minor squabbles, the enemy is one, and his name is Ruto,” Maina said. “Give us one presidential candidate to face Kasongo, and whoever pulls out, we will know that person is a traitor.”
Her remarks came in the presence of several leaders who have either expressed presidential ambitions or are associated with opposition efforts ahead of the 2027 election, including Martha Karua, Matiang’i, Kalonzo, Sifuna and Gachagua’s representative.
Uhuru, in his address, said he was not seeking political office and dismissed attacks directed at him by his political opponents.
“I am not looking for anything, I am content with what I accomplished. Even if they hurl insults at me, call me a sponsor, a rebel leader, or a drunkard… I just look at them and laugh because they are wasting their time. I only want Kenya to move forward as one,” Uhuru said.
He also condoled with the Karua family over the death of Mwalimu Jackson Karua.
“I offer my condolences to the family of Martha Karua. Losing a father is not an easy thing. It is a farewell until we meet again,” he said.
Martha Karua used the occasion to assert her presidential ambitions, warning male politicians against assuming that the race would be limited to men.
“I am reminding these men not to think they are the only ones in the field running for the presidency. They should know that in this Kenyan cooking, the mother is the one in the kitchen,” Karua said.
Sifuna also challenged the opposition leaders to resolve the question of their presidential candidate, asking residents of Kirinyaga to weigh in on who should lead the ticket.
“Here in Kirinyaga, you know who is fit to be the candidate for the presidency and deputy. Riggy G, Kalonzo, and Matiang’i are here. Can we not settle this matter today? How do you see me? If I am given the flag, will Kasongo leave or not?” Sifuna asked.
He also criticised the government over the management of public resources and called for greater transparency in major government contracts.
“Ruto got upset recently because I told him this country is not his house; it is not his private property. When he enters into those contracts worth trillions of shillings, he has a responsibility to tell us what he is doing. The presidency is supposed to be a symbol of our national unity, but Ruto has become a symbol of our collective embarrassment and shame,” Sifuna said.
Sifuna further invoked the legacy of the late opposition leader Raila Odinga, noting that October marks a year since his death.
Because this is the remembrance month for Baba, there was someone who used to insult Raila and call him a witchdoctor, an uprooter of railways, and other things. Now he is insulting his children because he knows his days are coming to an end. There is no vote for Kasongo anywhere,” he said.
The speeches highlighted the growing calls within opposition ranks for political parties and presidential hopefuls to negotiate a common presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 election, even as individual leaders continue to signal their interest in the race.
Kalonzo warns opposition leaders against becoming Ruto moles
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has warned opposition leaders against turning into “moles” for President William Ruto as political parties and presidential hopefuls intensify efforts to build a united front ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Kalonzo delivered the warning on Saturday, October 3, 2026, during the burial of Mwalimu Jackson Karua, father of People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua, in Gichugu, Kirinyaga County.
“If any of us becomes Kasongo’s mole, he or she will suffer the consequences of the biblical Lot,” Kalonzo said.
Kalonzo urged opposition leaders to remain focused on what he described as the need to save the country, amid renewed calls for them to overcome their differences and agree on a common presidential candidate.
“It is time to save this country in real time,” he said.
His remarks came at a gathering that brought together several prominent opposition figures, including Martha Karua, former President Uhuru Kenyatta, former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, Siaya Governor James Orengo and Democratic Party leader Justin Muturi.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who was away in the United States, was represented by Nyandarua Senator John Methu.
Opposition unity push
The question of whether the opposition will unite behind one presidential candidate emerged as one of the key political themes at the burial.
Kirinyaga Woman Representative Njeri Maina challenged leaders seeking the presidency to put aside their differences and settle on one candidate to face Ruto in 2027.
“For those vying for the Presidency, from Martha Karua, Kalonzo Musyoka, Rigathi Gachagua, Edwin Sifuna, Fred Matiang’i and others in the United Opposition, I am telling you if it will take you entering a room for a face-off, and even if it means you fighting each other in that room, that is okay,” Maina said.
“But we want once you leave that room, you give us one candidate who will take President William Ruto home.”
Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta, who was present at the event, asked Maina to repeat her message before telling the gathering: “For those who have ears, let them listen.”
The call reflects a challenge facing opposition parties ahead of the August 2027 election, with several leaders either openly positioning themselves for the presidency or linked to efforts to form a joint political movement.
Leaders call for unity
Sifuna also pressed the opposition leaders to resolve the question of their presidential candidate.
With Kalonzo, Matiang’i and Gachagua’s representative among those present, Sifuna asked residents of Kirinyaga to weigh in on who should lead the opposition ticket.
“Here in Kirinyaga, you know who is fit to be the candidate for the presidency and deputy. Riggy G, Kalonzo, and Matiang’i are here. Can we not settle this matter today?” Sifuna asked.
He also criticised the Ruto administration over its handling of public resources and major government contracts, arguing that Kenyans should have greater access to information on government deals.
Kalonzo, meanwhile, said opposition leaders would remain united in their political push against Ruto.
The Wiper leader also criticised what he described as the direction taken by the current administration, arguing that some of the national assets and institutions preserved by previous administrations were now under threat.
Former President Kenyatta, for his part, told mourners that he was not seeking political office and said his focus was on seeing Kenya move forward.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna during the burial of People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua’s father, Mwalimu Jackson Karua, in Kirinyaga on Saturday, October 3, 2026
Wamalwa: Karua should convene opposition talks and pick one candidate
Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa has challenged People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua to convene talks between opposition factions and lead efforts to settle on a single presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general election.
Speaking on Saturday, October 3, 2026, during the burial of Karua’s father, Mwalimu Jackson Karua, in Gichugu, Kirinyaga County, Wamalwa said the presence of different opposition groups at the funeral presented an opportunity to strengthen unity.
Wamalwa said the United Alternative Government and Linda Mwananchi formations should move beyond their separate political arrangements and work together under one team.
“I want to challenge you, Martha; you are already the convener of the greater coalition, ya upinzani,” Wamalwa said.
He urged Karua to bring the different opposition camps to the negotiating table and help them agree on one candidate.
“Now that that is out of the way, we want to see Linda Mwananchi come to the table to engage, and we want to challenge you, Martha, to be the convener. Bring us together, na wote tukubaliane wote tuungane tutoe mtu mmoja,” he said.
Former President Kenyatta, for his part, told mourners that he was not seeking political office and said his focus was on seeing Kenya move forward.
Siaya Governor James Orengo told Mt Kenya voters that their political choices could have a significant bearing on the 2027 presidential contest, urging the region to unite with other parts of the country.
Speaking on Saturday, October 3, 2026, during the burial of Mwalimu Jackson Karua, father of People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua, in Gichugu, Kirinyaga County, Orengo said Mt Kenya had historically played an important role in Kenya’s politics.
His remarks came as political leaders from across the country gathered to mourn Mwalimu Jackson, bringing together figures from different opposition formations.
And while the opposition was very busy speculating about their hopes President William Ruto was providing 300,000 title deeds to Kenyans who have lived as squatters in their own land since independence. That is millions of votes from those families who for once can use their land for loans and development.
Ruto said the issuance of the title deeds formed part of efforts to address longstanding land ownership problems that have affected residents of the Coast for decades.
“I am very proud that we will have issued 300,000 title deeds by tomorrow (Saturday, October 3, 2026) to benefit coastal people who for a very long time have lived as half-citizens in our independent Kenya,” Ruto said.
The President has made land ownership a major focus of his current coast tour, which covers Taita-Taveta, Kwale, Kilifi, Mombasa, Tana River and Lamu counties.
Adongo Ogony is a Human Rights Activist and a Writer who lives in Toronto, Canada
