Muturi said efforts to unite the opposition ahead of the 2027 General Election required strategic thinking and a shared commitment to a common ambition

Former Public Service CS Justin Muturi/HANDOUT

Democratic Party leader Justin Muturi has called for dialogue, mutual respect and compromise in opposition coalition-building, warning that political partnerships cannot be sustained through ultimatums, intimidation and individual interests.

He cautioned against political arrangements that could fragment the opposition, arguing that separate formations risk undermining the broader objective of securing political change.

“Those of us who have spent years in the trenches of Kenyan politics understand that building a winning national coalition requires compromise, maturity and strategic thinking. A tripartite arrangement is not a magic formula for State House. Fragmenting an opposition that needs unity raises serious questions about the political direction being pursued,” he said.

Muturi argued that no single individual or community could claim ownership of the opposition or monopolise the country's presidency, noting that winning a national election required broad alliances across ethnic and regional boundaries.

He questioned whether the opposition was focused on building one national movement with a shared presidential ambition or creating separate political formations whose leaders would negotiate individual interests after the elections.

“History should remind us that political alliances are complex and no political formation belongs to one individual,” he said.

He also warned against prioritising control of parliamentary seats and devolved units at the expense of the broader presidential ambition.

“Political partnerships must be built on mutual respect, not ultimatums, political bullying or supremacy contests,” he said.

Muturi maintained that the opposition's political strategy should be guided by national consensus rather than ethnic arithmetic, regional strongholds or individual bargaining interests.

He further cited past political alliances to illustrate that political partnerships were complex and that no political formation belonged to one individual.

The Democratic Party said it remained ready to engage in dialogue with other political formations committed to constructive talks and practical solutions but would not give in to intimidation or attempts to undermine its principles.

Muturi said the broader push for political change required sacrifice, discipline, strategic thinking and genuine commitment to a common objective.

“As the Democratic Party, we remain ready and willing to engage in dialogue with all those who are genuinely committed to meaningful talks and constructive solutions. However, let it be clear: we will not capitulate to mischief, intimidation, or any attempts to undermine our principles.”