Tension is escalating within the United Opposition coalition after sharp exchanges between Jubilee Party flagbearer Dr. Fred Matiang’i and allies of Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, exposing deep divisions over how the coalition’s 2027 presidential candidate should be chosen.
Dr. Matiang’i, also the Jubilee flagbearer, has come under fire from fellow opposition members who accuse him of being “lazy, and unwilling to work collaboratively with other principals. The accusations, reportedly pushed by handlers of Rigathi Gachagua and members of Kalonzo Musyoka’s inner circle, have sparked a heated political storm.
Gachagua, who has already publicly endorsed Kalonzo for the presidency, is said to be using his allies to undermine Matiang’i’s influence within the opposition. Observers suggest that the attacks are part of a broader strategy to consolidate support around Kalonzo and weaken Jubilee’s standing in the coalition.
Dr. Matiang’i, however, has maintained that the process of selecting the opposition’s presidential flagbearer must be transparent and data-driven. He insists that the candidate should be chosen based on the will of the people, not through what he termed as “boardroom deals by six men in a hotel.”
His stance echoes sentiments expressed by PLP leader Martha Karua, who recently told mourners in Murang’a during the burial of Hon. Jamleck Kamau’s mother that the opposition must allow the people to decide their preferred candidate through a fair nomination process.
In response, Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua, a close ally of Kalonzo Musyoka, issued a strongly worded statement on Sunday rebuking Matiang’i for his remarks.
Wambua accused the Jubilee deputy party leader of attempting to “micromanage” the opposition and warned him against undermining ongoing consultations among coalition principals.
“If Dr. Matiang’i is dissatisfied with the process, he is free to leave the opposition,” Senator Wambua declared, emphasizing that Kalonzo Musyoka would not be dictated to by anyone within the coalition.
The escalating war of words underscores the fragile unity within the opposition, raising questions about whether the coalition can maintain cohesion ahead of the next general election.
