Senior advisor to the president in the Council of Economic Advisors (CEA), Moses Kuria, has hinted at the formation of a new coalition ahead of Kenya’s 2027 General Election.
Speaking on Sunday at a Thanksgiving Ceremony in Homabay for Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) National Chairperson Gladys Wanga, Kuria predicted the emergence of a “nationalist movement” aimed at uniting Kenyans across political divides.
“What I can see is that in 2027, a new nationalist movement, same like the 2002 rainbow movement, is loading and those with brains should join because they are people who will weep from outside,” Kuria predicted.
The former CS made the remarks at the event where outgoing ODM leader Raila Odinga was the chief guest.
Kuria’s remarks come as Wiper Democratic Movement leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Democratic Action Party – Kenya (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa announced plans earlier this month to exit the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition, with the intention of creating a new coalition by the end of 2024.
The two leaders have expressed support for building an inclusive coalition, calling on like-minded leaders to join the movement. In July, Martha Karua, a principal in Azimio, also departed from the coalition.
In the thanksgiving event, Raila, who is Kenya’s candidate of the ongoing African union commision(AUC) chairmanship race, noted that Kenya must strive to protect its democracy at all costs.
The former prime minister made reference to the Gen Z demonstrations as well as the opposition-led protest on the cost of living warning that the government should not endanger the country’s democracy by attacking its citizens for airing their voices.
The veteran politician criticised the government in the manner it handled protesters during the Gen Z protests in June and the opposition protests last year.
“We must have democracy. Our people should be given an opportunity to express themselves freely. Democracy must be safeguarded in our country,” Raila asserted.
Leaders who accompanied Raila to the event renewed their calls for unity within the party urging Wanga, who was appointed as the party’s chair, to protect and expand the influence of the party.
Odinga, who has played a significant role in Kenyan politics, pledged to continue advocating for democratic principles in Kenya. His bid for the AUC chairmanship reflects his aspirations to address the economic challenges facing Africa, including the “brain drain” of young Africans leaving the continent due to limited job opportunities.
