Kalonzo’s Silent Rebellion Against Matiang’i Exposes Opposition Power Struggles

Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has confirmed he will not attend the Jubilee Party’s National Delegates Conference on Friday, where former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i is expected to be endorsed as the party’s 2027 presidential candidate.

Speaking at Wiper headquarters during a nomination ceremony for upcoming by-elections, Kalonzo cited legal concerns and the lack of a formal invitation. He referred to previous court cases that accused non-members of interfering in party affairs. 

“The last time we attended, people went to court arguing outsiders had interfered. So, I will not attend,” he said.

Kalonzo's decision is seen as a calculated move in the ongoing struggle over opposition leadership ahead of the next general election. While Matiang’i has gained ground within Jubilee, backed by retired President Uhuru Kenyatta and Secretary-General Jeremiah Kioni, Kalonzo's allies argue he is best placed to lead the coalition, given his long-standing role in opposition politics.

Jubilee has positioned Matiang’i as a candidate with national appeal and a strong administrative record. A meeting chaired by Matiang’i earlier this week at Nairobi’s Safari Park Hotel, attended by senior party officials and former lawmakers, further reinforced his status. The upcoming conference is expected to approve changes to party leadership structures and formalise his candidacy.

By skipping the event, Kalonzo avoids endorsing a rival’s elevation while keeping political lines open with other key figures, including Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. Gachagua, who leads the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), holds significant influence in the Mt Kenya region, a crucial bloc in opposition planning.

The opposition alliance, comprising six parties: Wiper, Jubilee, Martha Karua’s PLP, Eugene Wamalwa’s DAP-K, Justin Muturi’s Democratic Party, and Gachagua’s DCP, now faces a growing leadership dilemma. Kalonzo has confirmed he will attend PLP’s delegates meeting next month, signalling ongoing involvement in coalition affairs while avoiding direct conflict with Jubilee.

In Western Kenya, DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa is under increasing pressure from the rise of Governor George Natembeya’s “Tawe Movement”, a grassroots campaign that is gaining traction and may challenge Wamalwa’s regional standing.