Opposition consultations intensify behind closed doors

Linda Mwananchi team, led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Siaya Governor James Orengo, meets Jubilee Deputy Party Leader Fred Matiang’i in Karen, Nairobi, as they seek a formula to challenge President William Ruto. [Collins Oduor, Standard]

The United Opposition has in recent weeks intensified consultations behind closed doors as they look for the best formula to unseat President William Ruto.

On Thursday, Linda Mwananchi leader and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna began his day with a meeting hosted by Wiper Patriotic Front party leader Kalonzo Musyoka over a cup of tea at Kalonzo's residence.

The posts put out on their Facebook pages after the meeting shared a lot of similarities. Both statements read, "We are all in agreement that all of us who mean well must work together to save our country to restore our constitutional democracy. Whatever it takes."

Immediately after that, Sifuna and a host of other Linda Mwananchi leaders had a lunch meeting with Jubilee Deputy Party Leader Fred Matiang'i at Hermosa Hotel in Karen.

After the meeting, Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi addressed the media briefly on behalf of the team, expressing confidence that they were progressing in the talks.

"We were engaging in consultations as part of the wider consultations within the opposition to bring positive change within this country. This conversation will be going on with not just the people here but other leaders within the opposition. We are confident that we are making progress," he said.

Present in the meeting were Sifuna, Osotsi, Siaya Governor James Orengo, Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and Wafula Buke.

In the statements put out on Sifuna's and Matiang'i's Facebook pages, there were also striking similarities, with both of them reading, "We march on."

This was not the first meeting between the Linda Mwanachi brigade and Matiang'i, after holding another one on 22nd July. The brigade also held a meeting with Kalonzo on 30th July.

As this meeting continued, an Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Joint Council and NEC Meeting was being held at Kalonzo's command centre a few meters away from where the Sifuna and group were.

Kalonzo was chairing the meeting, attended by a section of the Azimio leaders, with the only opposition principals present being Democratic Action Party Leader Eugene Wamalwa and Peter Munya of Party of National Unity PNU.  Jubilee was represented by David Murathe.

Azimio coalition Secretary General Caroli Omondi, who is also the spokesperson of the Linda Mwanachi team, was present.

In his statement, he described the meeting as an Azimio housekeeping meeting. "We discussed the options available for rebranding the coalition into an all-uniting opposition coalition," he said, adding that they approved other parties joining the coalition.

Eugene mentioned that the two teams were working on becoming one team. "We are doing all to ensure that we come together and become one team," he said.

On the previous day, the united opposition held another meeting behind closed doors around building a genuine unity of purpose. In the meeting were the co-convenors Kalonzo and People's Liberation Party leader Martha Karua, Eugene Wamalwa, Matiang'i, Democratic Party Leader Justin Muturi, Peter Munya, Lenny Kivuti of Devolution Empowerment Party and Omingo Magara of People's Democratic Party.

In a statement released by Wiper party Spokesperson Ndegwa Njiru, issues discussed at the meeting centred on the coalition's roadmap and strategy for the alternative governance agenda.

Wednesday's meeting was the third in as many weeks, held by the United Alternative Government. On 1st September last week, the same group of leaders had another meeting, which came after their first meeting on 24th August.

In the first two meetings, Democracy for the Citizens party leader Rigathi Gachagua was represented by his deputy Cleophas Malala, but Malala was absent from Wednesday's meeting.

The absence of Gachagua and the increased frequency of meetings have also got tongues wagging, with Gachagua viewed as one of the main players in the opposition outfit. Rigathi was in the country when the 24th August meeting was held but he was closing his conclave in Wamunyoro on that day. He is currently in the United States of America for an extended period of time.

Speaking in the United States of America on Sunday, Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua threw a spanner in the works after he said that he was willing to deputise Sifuna, provided the formula agreed on would favour him to lead the ticket.

"Even I, Riggy G, can deputise Sifuna; is there a problem? Even Sifuna can deputise me. Sifuna can deputise Kalonzo and Kalonzo can deputise Sifuna," he said.

During the launch of his Kitui Gubernatorial bid, Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua, who is a close ally of Kalonzo, pushed for a Kalonzo- Sifuna ticket.

"Do you people want Kalonzo to work with Sifuna? Those two can make a good collabo," he said, addressing Kitui residents.

With consultations now entering advanced stages, it remains to be seen which leader the opposition will settle on and which formula they will use to identify that leader.

Kalonzo is expected to hold rallies of his Ukombozi tour in Tana River and Garissa counties, accompanied by other United opposition principals, from Friday through to Sunday, while Linda Mwananchi is expected to hold rallies in Nairobi on Sunday.