TUKO.co.ke journalist Harry Ivan Mboto has over three years of experience reporting on politics and current affairs in Kenya

Top opposition figures are set to begin a two-day tour of the Western region on Thursday, July 3, as part of an early strategy to build momentum ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The campaign is being spearheaded by Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua, alongside Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka, People’s Liberation Party head Martha Karua, former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i, Democratic Action Party – Kenya (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa, and Justin Muturi.

Their goal is to rally grassroots support and solidify the opposition’s influence in a region seen as pivotal for the 2027 presidential contest.

According to an itinerary shared by DCP secretary general Cleophas Malala, the delegation will start its tour today with stops in Luanda, Mbale, Kakamega town, Lubao, Kambi ya Mwanza, Navakholo, and Malaha.

On Friday, July 4, they are expected to head to Busia, Bungoma, and conclude the tour in Kitale, Trans Nzoia county.

Malala said the tour was prompted by growing frustrations over the government’s unmet pledges to the Western region.

He argued that the area has been sidelined in key development matters and must now unite behind a collective opposition front to secure its place in the next administration.

“Charity begins at home. We must be together as leaders from Western and speak one language,” Malala said, calling for solidarity among local politicians ahead of 2027.

Trans Nzoia governor George Natembeya announced he would also take part in the tour.

He cancelled a previously planned rally organised for Matiang’i in favour of the unified gathering, saying the opposition must present one voice.

“Because the opposition will be meeting, I’ve said there’s no need to have a separate rally. We’ve decided to join forces and move together,” Natembeya said.

He invited residents to attend the stopovers and engage on issues affecting their daily lives.

The Western Kenya tour follows a series of recent political forays by the opposition across the country.

On June 29, they held several rallies in Laikipia county. Before that, from June 20 to 22, they conducted a three-day mobilisation drive in Meru county, addressing crowds in Ruiru, Maili Tatu, Laare, Mikinduri, Makutano, Gakoromone, and Maua Town.

Gachagua had also previously toured Ukambani and the Coast regions, where he referred to locals of the area as cousins to Mt. Kenya residents.

The opposition has framed these regional tours as part of a national mobilisation campaign designed to engage citizens directly, gather their concerns, and present a formidable alternative to President William Ruto's government in the 2027 elections.

In a related development previously covered by , Kalonzo firmly rejected claims that he was planning to work with Ruto ahead of the 2027 General Election.

His response came after Deputy President Kithure Kindiki suggested during a tour of the Ukambani region that the government was open to partnering with Kalonzo in forming a broad-based administration.

Kalonzo dismissed the overtures as a political ploy to divide the opposition. He cited the killing of Gen Z protesters during the 2024 Finance Bill demonstrations as one of the reasons he could not associate with Ruto’s leadership.

Source: TUKO.co.ke