NLP leader Muli challenges Uhuru, Kalonzo over past election claims, calls for opposition unity

National Liberal Party (NLP) leader Augustus Kyalo Muli has challenged former President Uhuru Kenyatta and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka to provide evidence for their claims that Raila Odinga won the 2022 presidential election and previous presidential contests.

Muli questioned why Uhuru, who was president during the 2022 election, did not publicly challenge the outcome at the time if he believed Raila had been denied victory.

Uhuru recently said he knew Raila had won the 2022 election and that “we know what happened”, remarks that have renewed debate over the disputed presidential contest.

Kalonzo subsequently claimed that the Raila-Kalonzo ticket also won the 2013 and 2017 presidential elections.

Muli said the claims should be accompanied by evidence and questioned the timing of the renewed debate.

“If Uhuru genuinely believed that Raila had been denied victory in 2022, why didn't he question the result when he was still President?” Muli asked.

He argued that Uhuru, as the sitting President at the time, was one of the most influential political actors in the country and could have demanded investigations into any alleged electoral wrongdoing.

Muli also questioned the current political direction of the former president amid preparations for the 2027 General Election.

He cited reports alleging that Uhuru is backing figures within the emerging opposition space, including former Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and the Linda Mwananchi movement, while noting that Sifuna has denied receiving financial support from the former president.

Muli also pointed to Jubilee Party's endorsement of former Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i as its presidential candidate, asking where Uhuru's political loyalties lie ahead of the 2027 election.

“Is he with Matiang'i? Is he with Kalonzo? Is he supporting Sifuna and Linda Mwananchi?” Muli asked.

The NLP leader further questioned Kalonzo's role in the 2022 elections, recalling his decision to launch a presidential bid after Martha Karua was selected as Raila's running mate before eventually returning to the Azimio coalition.

Muli said the history was important as opposition leaders seek to shape the political narrative ahead of 2027.

He nevertheless said the focus should now shift from revisiting previous elections to building a united opposition around Raila's political legacy.

According to Muli, Raila's contribution to multiparty democracy, constitutional reform and devolution should provide a basis for opposition parties to work together rather than remain divided over past electoral contests.

“The opposition needs to unite behind one presidential candidate if it hopes to mount a serious challenge in 2027,” Muli said.

He said the candidate should be selected through negotiations involving opposition parties and political movements rather than through unilateral decisions.

Muli invoked Raila's 2002 decision to endorse then-presidential candidate Mwai Kibaki under the famous “Kibaki Tosha” declaration, saying a similar decision could help unite the opposition ahead of 2027.

He called on Uhuru to declare his support for Kalonzo if the opposition parties agree through negotiations that he should be their presidential candidate.

“Let Uhuru declare Kalonzo Tosha,” Muli said.

He proposed that Jubilee, Wiper, NLP, Linda Mwananchi and other opposition parties and movements engage in negotiations aimed at establishing a broad coalition with a single presidential candidate and a common national programme.

Muli said NLP would support opposition unity if Kalonzo emerges as the candidate through a genuine negotiation process.

“2027 should not be about crying over spilt milk. It should be about learning from the past, correcting past mistakes, and building a united opposition capable of giving Kenyans a credible alternative,” he said.

The remarks come as political parties and movements begin positioning themselves for the 2027 General Election, with competing opposition formations seeking to consolidate support ahead of the contest.