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The United Opposition has named former Kimilili MP Dr. Mukhisa Kituyi as its spokesperson and Head of Secretariat.
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka made the announcement Wednesday evening through a social media post.
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Dr. Kituyi, a renowned academic, previously served as UNCTAD Secretary-General between 2013 and 2021 and was Kenya’s Trade and Industry Minister from 2002 to 2007. He also headed the Kenya Institute of Governance.
He resigned from UNCTAD in 2021 to pursue the presidency but later shelved his ambitions to back Raila Odinga in the 2022 elections.
The United Opposition is an umbrella of six parties: Democracy for the Citizens Party led by Rigathi Gachagua, Wiper Patriotic Front under Kalonzo, Martha Karua’s People’s Liberation Party, Eugene Wamalwa’s Democratic Action Party–Kenya, Justin Muturi’s Democratic Party, and Jubilee Party represented by chairman Torome Saitoti with support from former CS Fred Matiang’i.
Though yet to be formalized, the coalition is working toward fielding a joint ticket against President William Ruto in 2027, with Gachagua, Kalonzo, Karua, Wamalwa, Matiang’i, Muturi, Kituyi, and ex-CS Mithika Linturi steering the unity drive.
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Dr. Kituyi’s appointment is seen as strengthening the bloc with his vast governance and trade diplomacy expertise. He also has extensive experience in international negotiations, having chaired COMESA and African Trade Ministers’ Councils, ACP, and played a lead role in WTO talks.
His appointment followed a strategy meeting convened at Kalonzo Musyoka’s SKM Command Centre in Karen, Nairobi, amid growing speculation of divisions within the alliance.
The closed-door talks, attended by Gachagua, Matiang’i, Karua, Wamalwa, Muturi, Linturi, Kituyi, and Saitoti, were aimed at reinforcing unity and preparing for a Kisii tour on September 8.
Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka said the leaders used the session to iron out differences, strengthen ties, and agree on the coalition’s roadmap.
