Former Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta has urged opposition leaders to set aside their differences and unite ahead of the 2027 General Election, saying Kenyans want to see them working together rather than engaging in disagreements.

Kenyatta spoke during the requiem mass for his late first cousin, Beatrice Wambui Muturi, at PCEA Nairobi West Church on Wednesday, 11 November 2026. He addressed opposition leaders including Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua, who now leads the Democracy for the Citizens Party, and DAP-Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa.

He said he had been listening to conversations among ordinary Kenyans and believed their biggest concern was the divisions among opposition leaders. He urged the politicians to focus on the country's future, arguing that unity and a common purpose were necessary for Kenya to move forward.

"What has happened in the past is the past. All we must be concerned about as Kenyans is where we are going. What is the future? A brighter future will only be found through unity and strength of purpose," Kenyatta said.

He reminded the leaders that the presidency could only be occupied by one person at a time, urging them to put aside competing ambitions and rally behind a single candidate. "As I keep telling my brothers here, Steve, Rigathi, Eugene and all the others, the seat can only be occupied by one person at a time," he said, using Kalonzo Musyoka's first name.

"Kenyans have already made their decision; they only have one problem: the unity of the opposition," he added. "With a lot of respect, organise yourselves and unite to give Kenyans what they want. Work together for a better, prosperous, peaceful Kenya."

Kenyatta also said lasting peace could only be achieved through justice, telling the congregation: "There can be no peace without justice." He said he was not seeking any political position himself and that his desire was to see Kenya move forward.

A public show of unity with Gachagua

The occasion also brought a public show of renewed friendship between Kenyatta and Gachagua, whose political relationship broke down after the 2022 election. Gachagua used his speech to revisit their long political relationship, declaring that he would not allow anyone to create divisions between them again.

Before turning to national unity, Kenyatta made a light-hearted remark directed at Gachagua over claims that he had received money to support the retired president's presidential campaign. Kenyatta said he had heard Gachagua claim he was given KSh1.5 million to deliver towards his campaign, joking that he would visit Gachagua's Wamunyoro home to recover it.

Gachagua explained that the money was allegedly given to him by the late Beatrice Wambui Muturi to support Kenyatta's re-election campaign in 2017. He said she approached him after the Supreme Court overturned the August 2017 presidential election, concerned about the fresh election, and handed him the money in a nylon bag. He added that he had been looking for an opportunity to repay her but had been unable to locate her before her death.

Muturi, known as Mama Thumi, died aged 90. She was remembered at the service for her strong Christian faith, her commitment to the Presbyterian Church of East Africa and her contribution to business and the wider community.

A repeat of an earlier appeal

Kenyatta's latest remarks come weeks after he publicly encouraged opposition leaders to agree on a common presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 elections. During the burial of Mwalimu Jackson Karua, father of People's Liberation Party leader Martha Karua, in Kirinyaga County in October, he invited Kirinyaga Woman Representative Njeri Maina to address opposition leaders on the need for unity.

Maina challenged presidential hopefuls, including Kalonzo, Gachagua, former interior cabinet secretary Fred Matiang'i, Martha Karua and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, to resolve their differences and present one candidate to challenge President William Ruto. Kenyatta supported her message, telling the leaders: "For those who have ears, let them listen."

Whether the latest appeal translates into a single opposition candidate remains to be seen. No formal pact or endorsement of a presidential candidate was announced at the Nairobi service, and the opposition figures named by Kenyatta have yet to settle publicly on a flagbearer for the 2027 contest, which is still more than a year away.