Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka addresses journalists at SKM Centre in Nairobi on April 15, 2026.
With the presidential election about 14 months away, Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka has made the strongest indication yet that he will be on the ballot paper.
Mr Musyoka – who has said in the past that sacrificing his bid again in 2027 would mean retiring from politics – has applied for a trademark of the phrase “Kalonzo 2027”.
Registration of the phrase signals preparations for his campaigns, even as he continues to persuade other opposition leaders to support him.
Opposition leaders led by Kalonzo Musyoka address a rally in Tononoka Grounds, Mombasa on Saturday April 25, 2026. The United Opposition leaders allege Ruto has planted moles within their ranks.
The United Opposition has Mr Musyoka, former Deputy President and Democracy for the Citizens Party leader Rigathi Gachagua, DAP-K boss Eugene Wamalwa, Martha Karua of People’s Liberation Party, Jubilee deputy leader Fred Matiang’i and Democratic Party chief Justin Muturi.
Mr Gachagua, Ms Karua and Mr Wamalwa have also declared interest in the presidency. They have, however, promised to rally behind one candidate.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta recently endorsed Dr Matiang’i as his candidate for the top seat.
During the burial of Kisii Senator Richard Onyoka’s mother Teresia Nyaboke Omoke, in Kitutu Chache on Friday, Ms Karua said: “We’ll continue to present ourselves as presidential aspirants before you, but will eventually have one opposition candidate.”
According to the latest Tifa poll, Mr Musyoka is the second-favourite pick for president among Kenyans. In the results released on Thursday, some 19 per cent of the respondents said he is the most preferred presidential candidate in 2027.
President William Ruto led with 24 per cent while Dr Matiang’i was third with 14 per cent.
Wiper delegates gave Mr Musyoka the mandate to run for president in October 2025.
Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua told the Sunday Nation that a lot has been going on behind the scenes after the endorsement.
Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua speaks during the launch of the Kitui Cultural Festival and goat digital auction website on December 10, 2019.
“The nomination by Wiper Patriotic Party gave him the green light to prepare for the seat, including forming a campaign secretariat,” Mr Wambua said.
He added that Mr Musyoka continues to get more support in the opposition.
“No leader has a problem with Kalonzo being the candidate. He has the demeanour and networks needed for the office,” he said.
Mr Musyoka, who was Kenya’s vice-president from 2008 to 2013, applied for the trademark in March.
In the latest issue of the Kenya Industrial Property Institute monthly journal, the application has been accepted.
Unless a valid opposition is lodged within 60 days, the Wiper Patriotic Front leader will own the trademark for 10 years. The journal says Mr Musyoka, 72, wants the exclusive usage of “Kalonzo 2027” in advertising campaigns. It, however, notes that he will not own the rights to the name “Kalonzo” or the number “2027”, except when the two appear together.
The trademark is in blue and red, an indication of the branding direction Mr Musyoka is likely to take in his campaigns.
Politicians have been known to acquire trademarks for slogans and phrases associated with them. In 2023, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua acquired a trademark for his nickname “Riggy G”.
Parties typically trademark their logos to stop others who may want to use them without permission.
In March, President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance applied to trademark its symbol: a circle with green and yellow halves with a wheelbarrow linking the halves.
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