United Opposition set to unveil name, symbol amid fresh infighting over Kituyi appointment

The United Opposition is set to announce its official outfit name and symbol next week, in a bid to galvanise the support of the team under one umbrella identity in preparations for the by-elections in November and the 2027 General Election.

The team, led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, is expected to officially launch their official coalition name on Monday next week, complete with a symbol and slogan.

However, the unity call seems to be dividing the team already, with Democracy for the Citizens (DCP) Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala rejecting the appointment of the former United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Secretary General Dr. Mukhisa Kituyi as the unit’s spokesperson.

“Is DCP your party? The one that listens to the ground? Don’t be confused. That is the party of our region... When we are done with the nominations, from top down, vote DCP candidates so that we can have enough soldiers to protect our interests,” Gachagua said in Kikuyu.

The move is set to rejig and rebuild opposition steam ahead of the by-elections, which have been billed as a do-or-die acid test. The team is toying with a Swahili name as a possible way to reach the masses.

The secretariat, which will be led by Dr. Mukhisa Kituyi, is also expected to be unveiled on Monday.

The Kenya Moja coalition, which brings together youthful leaders across the political divide, has already excited the masses barely a month after its launch.

However, a push to have the coalition name its presidential candidate in the next two months was shelved, as the teams continue to strengthen their parties. All the top opposition principals have declared interest in running for the top office.

The closed-door meeting also resolved to have the former Dr. Kituyi as its spokesperson in charge of all communication for the group.

The principals, taking to social media with a similar statement that endorsed the appointment of Dr. Kituyi as its spokesperson, tasked him with streamlining the opposition’s communication.

However, barely hours after the unity summit, some fissures are already showing. Malala, who gave the event a wide berth, refused to sign the new outfit’s agreement.

Speaking to Citizen TV, Malala said: “My position on the choice of the spokesperson is that the United Opposition deserves to demonstrate willingness in engaging with fresh youthful leadership that can propel the country to the next frontier of politics and governance, qualities which Dr. Mukhisa Kituyi is acutely lacking.”

Malala also maintained his hard stance on the Malava Constituency by-election slated for November.

The coalition had prevailed on the DCP party and DAP-K party to have one of them stand down their candidates, to prevent splitting their votes.

However, Malala maintains that as the DCP Deputy Party Leader from Kakamega County, he ought to lead the campaigns for the candidate all the way to the ballot, with DAP-K leadership also sticking to their guns.