Opposition Eyes NARC-Style Coalition as Uhuru Chairs Key Meeting

Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta is expected to chair a high-level meeting of constituent parties within the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Coalition on Monday as opposition leaders seek to forge a united front ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The meeting is expected to focus on plans to form a broader opposition coalition capable of challenging President William Ruto in the next presidential election, even as Uhuru’s renewed involvement in opposition politics continues to attract mixed political reactions.

According to sources familiar with the discussions, leaders are expected to deliberate on the possible rebranding of the coalition and strategies for bringing together various opposition parties under one umbrella while allowing each party to retain its individual identity.

The proposal is said to mirror the 2002 National Rainbow Coalition (NARC) model, where multiple political parties united behind a single presidential candidate, leading to the election of former President Mwai Kibaki.

The planned meeting comes amid growing calls for opposition unity as political formations continue to position themselves ahead of the 2027 polls.

Political analyst Herman Manyora argued that the opposition should avoid collapsing into a single political party, saying coalition politics remains the most practical approach.

“Perish the thought that at any one given time we shall return to one-party politics, whether in the opposition or on the government side.”

Another political observer noted that if the opposition successfully rallies behind one political formation and one presidential candidate, the alliance could resemble the political momentum witnessed in the 2002 elections.

The meeting also comes just days after members of the Linda Mwananchi movement held talks with former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, amid efforts to strengthen cooperation among opposition leaders.

“We are hoping that we will not let down Kenyans, but we will present one formidable team. As we say, uko kwa ground, timu ni moja, tamu ni moja,” one opposition leader said.

The growing influence of the Linda Mwananchi movement has also intensified calls for the opposition to settle on a single presidential flag bearer early enough before the 2027 elections.

Uhuru’s decision to actively participate in opposition politics has continued to draw criticism from some leaders allied to President Ruto, who have repeatedly urged the former Head of State to retire from active political engagement.

However, the former President has remained politically active, occasionally responding to criticism from members of the Kenya Kwanza administration and maintaining close engagement with opposition leaders.

Analysts say that should Uhuru succeed in bringing together the various opposition parties under a NARC-style coalition, the 2027 General Election could shape up as another political contest between him and his former deputy, President Ruto, who defeated the Azimio coalition candidate in the 2022 General Election.

Others, however, argue that Uhuru should play a less visible role while supporting efforts to unite the opposition.

“If former President Uhuru means well to ensure that President Ruto doesn’t enjoy a second term, I would say he should support this movement in a way that is not too conspicuous or too apparent to the people of Kenya,” one analyst observed.

With opposition realignment gathering momentum, Monday’s meeting is expected to provide a clearer indication of whether Kenya’s opposition can overcome internal divisions and rally behind a single coalition to challenge President Ruto in 2027.