One-term plan: Inside Obasanjo, Uhuru and Kalonzo meeting

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka during the requiem mass in honour of Pope Francis at Holy Family Minor Basilica, Nairobi. April 25, 2025. [File, Standard]

Fresh details have emerged of how former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo is pushing for a meeting between former President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to craft a strong Opposition to face President William Ruto in 2027.

Obasanjo is said to have met Uhuru and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka on December 31 on the sidelines of the Future Africa Leaders Awards, a continental forum that recognises young Africans driving social, economic and civic change held in Lagos, Nigeria.

Uhuru had attended the event as a keynote speaker, where his message was that Africa does not lack ideas, energy or talent, but needs leadership anchored on strong values and accountability. 

Multiple sources indicated that the three leaders during their meeting held that there is a need for a United Opposition which would produce one formidable candidate in next year’s polls to face President Ruto and his Kenya Kwanza brigade.

“Obasanjo, Uhuru and Kalonzo agreed that the meeting between Uhuru and Gachagua would put to rest perceptions that they are not together in the Opposition. It also ends growing mistrust and Jubilee’s commitment in the United Opposition,” a source familiar with the talks said.

The leaders also explored options of whether to register a new political formation or use the Azimio La Umoja coalition, which is still chaired by Uhuru. The coalition fronted the late ODM leader Raila Odinga in the 2022 presidential election.

Despite the disintegration of the Azimio coalition, with ODM joining the government through the broad-based arrangement, while People’s Liberation Party headed by Martha Karua, exited, Wiper and Jubilee have not left the coalition party.

Another source added, “The talks between the Opposition leaders kicked off since the Lagos meeting and that is why the United Opposition are now attending meetings together without one of them failing and the cohesion will be rubber-stamped when Uhuru publicly meets Gachagua.” There has been tension as a result of the rivalry between Gachagua and former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i which is said to have been fuelled by Matiang’i’s decision to join Jubilee party against Gachagua’s advice.

The former Deputy President had wanted him to form his own political vehicle and drum up support from the larger Gusii community.

Gachagua had argued that party ownership was critical for controlling a political base and ensuring discipline among supporters, while in deciding to join Jubilee, Matiangi argued that he looked for a national party that carried nationalistic ideologies. Their ideological differences had spilt over to their allies who used to clash often with each side accusing the other of rocking the Opposition from within, as they claimed each side was secretly working with Ruto.

As the two continued to fight, Matiang’i kept off the United Opposition meetings and rallies, and on January 28, the two joined their co-principals atthe  Democratic Party National Delegates Convention at Ufungamano House in Nairobi.

On the following day, the two met ‘over a tea’, but insiders said their meeting was a progress to the Lagos meeting on December 31.

Later on, Matiang’i joined Gachagua and other Opposition leaders in Nyeri on Sunday, where they jointly held rallies in Gitugi and Othaya as they pledged to remain united and to produce one presidential flag bearer for next year’s polls.

On November 7 last year, Uhuru admonished former Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni over his incessant political attacks against Gachagua and warned him that if he continued, he would take swift action.

Two months later, Uhuru made changes of the party leadership and removed Kioni from the influential Secretary General position, appointing him as the Deputy Party Leader of operations while his seat was given to former Narok North MP Meitalele Ole Kenta.

The changes are also said to be a result of the Lagos meeting with Gachagua, expected to tame his allies who have not been using kind words against Matiang’i.

In an interview, Kioni said he would meet Gachagua soon, as their agenda was removing Ruto from office, which takes shape, a statement that paints a picture of leaders ready to unite against all odds to unseat President Ruto.