Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka. Photo/Citizen Digital
By Newsflash Reporter
President William Ruto’s inner circle is intensifying efforts to bring Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka into its fold as part of a broader plan to weaken the opposition and enhance Ruto’s re-election chances in 2027.
If this plan fails, insiders say the President’s team might pursue another opposition figure with a significant regional voting base. However, Kalonzo, who is considered a top contender for the opposition presidential ticket, remains their primary focus.
Over the past fortnight, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has camped in Ukambani for ten days, strategically courting Kalonzo—widely regarded as the region’s political heavyweight.
Kalonzo is believed to command around three million votes, both from Ukambani and other parts of the country. Seeking to win him over without creating friction, Ruto’s team has taken a unified stance: they have largely spared Kalonzo from criticism, focusing instead on his opposition allies like former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
During his tour across Machakos, Kitui, and Makueni, Kindiki emphasized his openness to collaborating with Kalonzo. Historical voting patterns indicate that the Ukambani region has consistently backed coalitions aligned with Kalonzo, positioning him as a potential kingmaker in the next elections.
Ruto camp alarmed by Kalonzo-Gachagua alliance
Kenya Kwanza is reportedly uneasy about a budding alliance between Kalonzo and Gachagua, aimed at consolidating support among the Gikuyu, Embu, Meru, and Akamba communities. This political realignment has become a major talking point in Kindiki’s speeches across the region.
Kindiki’s whirlwind tour included stops in Machakos town, Masinga, Kangundo, Yatta, Mwala, Kitui East, Kitui Central, Kitui South, Kaiti, Kilome, and Makueni. He used the opportunity to empower local women and youth groups.
The Deputy President also invoked his past working relationship with Kalonzo during President Mwai Kibaki’s administration, when Kindiki served as Secretary for National Cohesion before returning to private law practice.
“I respect Kalonzo. He is my senior in the legal field and a man of dignity. I will seek dialogue with him because we want this region to enjoy development just like every part of Kenya,” Kindiki told crowds, while urging leaders and residents to convince Kalonzo to sever ties with Gachagua.
Read more: Kalonzo demands Kindiki’s resignation
He described the Kalonzo-Gachagua partnership as unnatural and unsustainable, saying they are fundamentally different in style and substance. He praised Kalonzo as a seasoned peacemaker, in contrast to Gachagua, whom he accused of divisive politics.
“I’ll reach out to Kalonzo, as you’ve asked. We can’t allow him to be swayed by tribalists looking to destabilize the country,” Kindiki said.
He implored residents to reject Gachagua, branding him “mtu wa ukabila, shares, mitego na matusi”—a tribalist obsessed with self-interest, traps, and insults. This came after Gachagua reportedly attacked Kindiki during a previous visit to the region.
“Kalonzo has never insulted me, and I have never insulted him. He is my elder and neighbor,” Kindiki added, noting the proximity between his Marimanti home in Tharaka-Nithi and Kalonzo’s Tseikuru residence in Mwingi North, Kitui.
“I know what you need as neighbors. I’ll do all I can to deliver development that matches your rightful share,” he told Makueni residents.
Kindiki leans on family ties and political alliances
Kindiki revealed that his family has long-standing ties with Kalonzo’s. He even helped secure an overseas scholarship for Kalonzo’s son, Kennedy Musyoka, now a member of the East African Legislative Assembly.
To boost his efforts, Kindiki has enlisted the support of veteran MPs like Mwala’s Vincent Musyoka Kawaya and Kitui South’s Rachel Nyamai, both serving third terms.
His outreach underscores Kalonzo’s importance both within the opposition and to Ruto’s broader 2027 political strategy. While Kalonzo hasn’t publicly responded, Wiper’s Organising Secretary and Kathiani MP Robert Mbui dismissed the overture as meaningless.
Mbui, also the National Assembly’s Deputy Minority Leader, said Kalonzo has remained loyal to his ideals for the last 15 years and won’t join what he described as a floundering administration.
“Kindiki’s proposal is laughable. Their survival depends on dividing the opposition, but that won’t happen,” Mbui declared.
Jubilee Party Secretary-General Jeremiah Kioni echoed this view, saying Kenyans are eager to vote out the entire Kenya Kwanza regime.
“Kindiki is trying, I’ll give him that. But when the opposition starts its countrywide campaigns, things will get even tougher for them,” Kioni said.
Read more: Kalonzo ringfences Ukambani as Ruto plans counter attack
Observers note that for Kindiki, this is about more than loyalty—it’s also about visibility and clout.
“Known for being reserved, he must now project authority. That includes taking the lead in Mt Kenya politics, promoting development, and defending the government’s record,” said political analyst and advocate Chris Omore.
“He’s banking on his clean image, legal expertise, and close ties with the President to promote a message of maturity and stability. But in a region that thrives on dramatic politics, subtlety may not suffice. He needs a grassroots army to defend his ground.”
Either way, Kindiki is in the political battle of his career—one that will test his strategy, adaptability, and endurance.
His future now hinges on successfully balancing regional loyalty with national appeal.
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