Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i (left) chats with Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka (right, in cap) on 4 May, 2025. In the middle is DAP-Kenya party leader Eugene Wamalwa. Photo/Kalonzo Musyoka/X
By Newsflash Reporter
Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka has thrown his weight behind a potential 2027 presidential ticket featuring former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i and Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, saying the duo would present the strongest challenge to President William Ruto.
Speaking on NTV’s morning show Fixing the Nation on Monday, May 5, 2025, Onyonka said both leaders possess the moral clarity and leadership experience needed to steer the country in a better direction.
“If Fred Matiang’i is given opportunity to become President of Kenya, I believe that his mind and conscience, he can’t take any lower than it is,” Onyonka said, praising the former CS for his integrity and discipline during his time in government.
He added that Kalonzo, known for his measured approach and long political experience, would be a calming presence at the helm of power.
“If Kalonzo Musyoka is President of the Republic, I would sleep well,” he said.
The senator also acknowledged other potential leaders in the opposition but emphasized that the Matiang’i-Kalonzo or Kalonzo-Matiang’i pairing appeared the most viable.
“I think the frontrunners are either Matiang’i-Kalonzo or Kalonzo-Matiang’i,” he stated.
Matiang’i’s return
Onyonka’s remarks came just a day after former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua hosted a high-level meeting with top opposition leaders at his Wamunyoro home in Nyeri.
The gathering, seen as an attempt to consolidate anti-Ruto forces ahead of 2027, ended with a vow from attendees to maintain unity and push for political reforms.
Notably, Onyonka’s endorsement comes on the heels of Matiang’i’s recent political re-emergence. Last Friday, Matiang’i received a rousing welcome in Kisii and Nyamira, his home counties, signaling a possible return to frontline politics. Thousands of supporters lined the streets in a symbolic show of support, with chants and placards hailing him as a “clean leader” and a “reformer.”
Matiang’i, who served under retired president Uhuru Kenyatta in various cabinet roles, has kept a relatively low profile since the 2022 elections.
Read more: Matiang’i to kick off 2027 presidential bid preparations
However, his popularity in the Gusii region remains intact, and political analysts view him as a potential kingmaker — or even a contender — in the next election cycle.
Onyonka also lauded former Defence Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa, describing him as an articulate and principled leader.
“I love Eugene Wamalwa. He is a person who is great. He speaks well…he articulates…he is clean,” Onyonka said.
His comments appear to be part of a broader realignment within the opposition, as leaders begin to jostle for position and form coalitions in anticipation of the 2027 contest.
While neither Matiang’i nor Kalonzo has publicly declared their intentions to run, insiders within the opposition suggest that talks are ongoing to craft a unified ticket that can effectively counter Ruto’s political machinery.
Read more:Why Kalonzo’s 2027 presidential bid is crippling
Ruto, who won the presidency in 2022, has already begun laying the groundwork for his re-election campaign, touring various counties and highlighting development projects under his administration.
With the economy remaining a pressing issue for many Kenyans, the next general election is expected to revolve around governance, corruption, and economic recovery.
According to political analysts, Onyonka’s endorsement of a Matiang’i-Kalonzo ticket adds momentum to discussions around leadership change, as the opposition seeks to coalesce around candidates who can command national appeal and deliver an alternative vision for Kenya.
