In a formal letter to Coalition Chairman Uhuru Kenyatta, Tuju confirmed he had handed over the secretariat's leadership to Philip Kisia during a joint meeting of the Council and the NEC. This departure is not merely a personnel change but a strategic vacancy created to accommodate the entry of new, heavy-hitting partners into the opposition fold.
The most significant of these new partners is former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP). Following months of back-channel negotiations, the DCP has officially joined the "United Opposition," a move that effectively merges Gachagua’s grassroots influence in Mt. Kenya with the institutional machinery of Azimio. READ MORE
This merger is designed to create a formidable front against the current administration, pooling resources and intelligence—including the controversial "Ruto Dossier"—under a single command structure.
Central to this new unity is the long-awaited public "handshake" between Uhuru Kenyatta and Rigathi Gachagua, which sources close to both leaders suggest is slated for a high-profile rally later this month.
This event will symbolize a formal "burying of the hatchet" for the sake of regional and national interests, specifically targeting the "de-risking" of the Mt. Kenya vote block. Gachagua has recently admitted that his previous attacks on Uhuru were a result of political "misguidance," setting the moral stage for this public reconciliation.
The logic behind Tuju’s exit is rooted in the need for a neutral bridge-builder. While Tuju was a loyalist to the Uhuru-Raila "Handshake" era, the new coalition requires leaders who can navigate the complex grievances of the Gachagua camp.
By stepping aside, Tuju allows the coalition to refresh its image and move away from the "old guard" labels that the government has frequently used as a political bludgeon. Philip Kisia’s entry as the new Executive Director is seen as a tactical move to bring in a fresh administrative hand during this sensitive transition.
As February 2026 unfolds, the "United Opposition" is no longer just a collection of disgruntled parties but a structured political machine. The inclusion of the DCP and the pending Uhuru-Rigathi handshake signal a total consolidation of the opposition’s power base.
With the "handshake date" now the worst-kept secret in Nairobi, the political landscape is set for a massive collision course. The question now is not if the opposition will unite, but how the ruling party will respond to this rejuvenated and unified front.
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