Former United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Secretary-General Mukhisa Kituyi has explained why he left the United Opposition coalition and joined Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s Linda Mwananchi movement.
Kituyi, who had been appointed spokesperson and head of the United Opposition secretariat, said the coalition experienced organisational difficulties and was unable to develop a shared political agenda ahead of the 2027 General Election.
One of the key challenges, according to Kituyi, was the coalition’s failure to establish a common secretariat.
He said he had already taken steps towards setting up an office, including identifying suitable premises and moving furniture from the offices of his former political party.
However, the coalition’s constituent parties opted to continue operating from their respective party headquarters rather than establish a joint administrative centre.
Kituyi said the failure to establish a unified operational structure was an indication of deeper organisational challenges within the opposition coalition.
He also cited disagreements over the development of a common political programme that could be presented to Kenyan voters.
According to Kituyi, while some opposition leaders supported the idea of creating a detailed political agreement with voters, others were not equally committed to the proposal.
He further noted that opposition leaders often released independent statements rather than working towards shared positions on major political issues.
Despite these challenges, Kituyi maintained that he still supports the opposition’s objective of settling on a single presidential candidate to face President William Ruto in the 2027 election.
He said he sees Sifuna’s Linda Mwananchi movement as a new political platform with the potential to help the opposition develop a broader and more comprehensive agenda.
Kituyi described Linda Mwananchi as a “fresh gust of air,” arguing that the movement could attract significant support from Kenyans as the country heads towards the next general election.
His decision followed Sifuna’s public invitation for him to join the movement, with the Nairobi senator describing Kituyi as a valuable addition to the team.
Kituyi also disclosed that Sifuna is currently his preferred candidate for the opposition’s presidential ticket.
He cited Sifuna’s ability to appeal to younger voters, whom Kituyi considers an important constituency in the 2027 presidential race.
However, Kituyi stressed that his personal preference would not override the wider opposition’s decision. He said he would ultimately support whoever is selected as the coalition’s presidential candidate.
Kituyi’s move adds another development to the ongoing realignment within Kenya’s opposition as political leaders position themselves and build alliances ahead of the 2027 General Election.