Moses Kuria compares Kenya’s 2027 election to 1997 and names four politicians he expects on ballot
Former Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria has predicted that Kenya’s 2027 presidential election could mirror the fiercely contested 1997 General Election, claiming rival opposition figures will enter the race separately rather than unite behind a single candidate.
Kuria made the remarks on Saturday, September 26, 2026, as political parties and opposition leaders continue discussions over possible alliances ahead of the August 2027 General Election.
In a post on his official X account, Kuria dismissed the prospect of a unified opposition ticket and identified four politicians he believes will ultimately appear on the presidential ballot: President William Ruto, former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.
“Take this to the bank. The 2027 Presidential race will be exactly like the 1997 election. There will be nothing like opposition unity,” Kuria stated.
He followed the declaration with another post naming the four politicians.
“The following will all be on the ballot. With 318 days left, nothing will change. Hii imeenda,” he said.
Kuria also attached a poll asking his followers to choose between Ruto, Matiang’i, Kalonzo and Sifuna. At the time of the report, the poll had attracted 874 votes, with Sifuna leading among the four options and voting still open.
Kuria’s four names
President Ruto is seeking a second term after winning the 2022 presidential election.
Matiang’i, who served as Interior Cabinet Secretary during former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration, has positioned himself for the presidency and is the Jubilee Party’s presidential flagbearer for the 2027 election.
Kalonzo has also maintained his presidential ambitions and remains a prominent figure in negotiations involving opposition parties as leaders explore possible arrangements ahead of the election.
Sifuna, meanwhile, has increasingly expanded his national political mobilisation. The Nairobi senator has also publicly indicated that he intends to challenge Ruto for the presidency.
Kuria’s list, however, represents his own assessment of the eventual ballot. It does not amount to confirmation that all four politicians have been cleared by the electoral authorities or that each will ultimately contest the presidency.
Opposition unity faces a crucial test
The former Cabinet Secretary’s comments come against the backdrop of ongoing efforts among opposition leaders to determine how they will approach the 2027 election.
Kalonzo, Matiang’i and Sifuna have featured prominently in discussions over possible opposition arrangements, with various combinations reportedly being considered, including Kalonzo-Matiang’i, Matiang’i-Kalonzo, Kalonzo-Sifuna and Sifuna-Kalonzo.
So far, however, the discussions have not produced a publicly confirmed joint presidential candidate.
The issue has become more complicated as individual politicians continue to maintain their own presidential ambitions, potentially creating competing centres of influence within the opposition.
Why Kuria invoked the 1997 election
Kuria’s comparison with 1997 is significant because that presidential contest featured several prominent opposition politicians challenging incumbent President Daniel arap Moi separately.
Moi faced challengers including Mwai Kibaki, Raila Odinga and Michael Wamalwa, among others, resulting in the opposition vote being divided among several candidates.
Moi ultimately won the election, while the opposition candidates failed to consolidate their support behind a single challenger.
Kuria is suggesting that a comparable pattern could emerge in 2027 if opposition parties fail to agree on a common presidential candidate.
His intervention adds to the growing debate over whether Kenya’s opposition will eventually unite behind one presidential ticket or whether competing ambitions will lead to multiple candidates entering the race.
With the 2027 election still months away, the final shape of the presidential contest remains subject to political negotiations, party decisions and the formal electoral process.
Other News: Kenya’s First Oil Production Moves Closer as Drilling Rig Arrives in Mombasa
