- Kalonzo Musyoka addressed supporters in Tharaka Ward, Kitui, hours after President William Ruto publicly praised him during an Ukambani tour
- The Wiper Patriotic Front leader invoked the Biblical forty years in the wilderness to reframe decades of political patience as preparation for power
- Kalonzo issued a direct call for a unified opposition presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 General Election
Nancy Odindo is a Current Affairs Editor at TUKO.co.ke, covering political and world news. Odindo has over six years of journalism experience and joined TUKO.co.ke in 2023.
Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka fired back at President William Ruto on Saturday, 24 October, after Ruto praised him during a tour of Ukambani, turning the presidential compliment into campaign fuel at a rally in Tharaka Ward, Kitui.
Source: Facebook
Speaking at a Thanksgiving service held at the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Kamikau, Kalonzo challenged the crowd to use Ruto's own words as motivation.
How Kalonzo responded to Ruto
"President Ruto is in Ukambani. He has even started praising me. He himself has declared that his most formidable opponent is Kalonzo Musyoka," he told supporters. "If Ruto himself has recognised that, then people of Tharaka, shouldn't you decide that we should take this seat?"
Kalonzo pushed back against suggestions that his four decades in public life represented a failed political journey, drawing a comparison to the Israelites' time in the desert.
"Those forty years are because I exercised patience. I safeguarded leadership. I protected dignity as the primary principle. Many people have become wealthy by insulting Kalonzo. But Ruto, remember that the Israelites spent forty years in the wilderness."
He framed the coming election as a generational moment, accusing the ruling administration of overseeing poor governance and the misuse of public resources.
"Kenyans have also been in a wilderness of poor governance, theft of public resources, and people enriching themselves using public funds," he said. "Forty years is enough time to liberate this country. I would rather die than to speak lies. We are on a rescue mission."
Kalonzo emphasises opposition unity
Kalonzo also offered a pointed explanation for the pace of his campaign momentum, insisting he had not dipped into taxpayer money, presidential or private jets to carry out his political activities.
Source: Facebook
Beyond the combative rhetoric, Kalonzo used the occasion to push for a consolidated opposition strategy ahead of 2027, announcing that he was personally reaching out to opposition colleagues to agree on a single presidential candidate.
"We will stand together as the opposition and present a common front. Our mission is bigger than any individual, party, or personal ambition. I have made it my personal mission to visit and speak to every colleague across the opposition. We must set our differences aside and agree on one presidential candidate to face this predator regime in 2027. There is no turning back," he said.
Will the opposition fall out?
Meanwhile, Wiper spokesperson Ndegwa Njiru warned that the United Opposition could split into rival factions ahead of the 2027 elections.
He outlined three possible political groupings after a joint rally by Martha Karua, Fred Matiang’i and Ndindi Nyoro in Nakuru.
The rally raised questions about unity within the Komboa Kenya coalition, as several opposition figures were absent.
DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua had called for a single opposition presidential candidate but warned that a leader could defect if not selected.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
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