Justin Muturi is back, and he is playing hardball. The former Attorney General has been officially reinstated as the leader of the Democratic Party (DP), and in his first act of command, he has slammed the door on any potential coalition mergers. Speaking ahead of the party's National Delegates Convention (NDC), Muturi signaled a return to the party's roots as an independent powerhouse.

The reinstatement, ratified by the party's National Executive Committee, marks a dramatic political resurrection for Muturi, whose relationship with the current administration has been frosty since his exit from the Cabinet. Now, operating from the historic Ufungamano House, Muturi is positioning the DP—founded by the late President Mwai Kibaki—as the "sane alternative" in a chaotic political landscape.

"We Will Not Be Swallowed"

Muturi's message to the delegates was unambiguous: the era of folding parties into giant coalitions is over. "We have seen how these marriages of convenience end," Muturi declared, alluding to the turbulent fallout within the ruling Kenya Kwanza alliance. "The Democratic Party is not for sale, and it is not for merging. We stand alone."

• The NDC Agenda: The upcoming convention at Ufungamano House is expected to ratify his leadership and unveil a new roadmap for 2027. Insiders say the agenda focuses on "economic sanity" and "constitutional adherence"—themes that mirror Kibaki's legacy.
• The One-Day Myth: Muturi also took a swipe at the culture of "rush-job" NDCs, arguing that serious policy formulation cannot be done in a single afternoon. He is pushing for a more robust, deliberative party structure.

Mount Kenya's New Calculator?

Political observers view Muturi's move as a calculated play for the Mount Kenya vote bloc, which is currently fragmented. By reviving the DP—a brand with deep emotional resonance in the region—Muturi offers a nostalgic yet credible vehicle for voters disillusioned with the current UDA dominance.

For Muturi, this is not just a return to party politics; it is a reinvention. No longer the Speaker or the AG, he is now the opposition voice from within the establishment's own backyard. As the NDC approaches, all eyes are on the man who refuses to join the choir, preferring instead to sing his own tune.