Kalonzo to Raila: Join our alliance against Ruto
Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka (left), his DAP-Kenya counterpart Eugene Wamalwa, and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua when they met at Karen Blixen in Nairobi.
Wiper Democratic Movement Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has beseeched his Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) counterpart Raila Odinga to ditch President William Ruto and join them in the opposition ahead of 2027.
He asked Mr Odinga to reclaim his space in the opposition instead of joining President Ruto's government "that is hell-bent on making common man's life more miserable".
Speaking after meeting former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua and DAP-Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa in a Nairobi hotel, Mr Musyoka said he would be on the ballot in 2027 or earlier.
"We were catching up on statements we made during the DAP-Kenya launch of its headquarters. Also bonding more with Gachagua the man who for some time earlier was speaking like President William Ruto before he changed," Mr Musyoka said.
He went on: "We discussed the possibility of President Ruto mending ways with Gachagua. Like how he would react if President Ruto took a chopper and landed in Wamunyoro. Mr Gachagua gave us an answer...Everything is possible... Meeting with President Ruto is likely to attract a lot of flaks...President Ruto is becoming a common enemy here and beyond."
Among other opposition partners seen as possible members of a Mr Musyoka alliance are Trans Nzoia governor Mr George Natembeya, Busia senator Mr Okiya Omtatah, Kisii senator Richard Onyonka and former Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang'i.
Mr Musyoka was Mr Odinga's running mate in 2013 and 2017 but lost elections to Uhuru Kenyatta who had Dr Ruto as the running mate.
In 2022, Mr Musyoka lost his running mate slot to Martha Karua, remained with Mr Odinga, but still lost to President Ruto.
Even though Ms Karua has since bolted out of Mr Odinga's camp, Mr Musyoka is finding it hard to escape the shadows of his former contest boss.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua when he visited Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua at her home in Kimunye village, Kirinyaga County on January 25, 2025.
This is even after Mr Gachagua declared in no uncertain terms that he favours him (Mr Musyoka) as the potential Mt Kenya candidate for the 2027 duel against Dr Ruto.
"I am happy that the Akamba community has since joined Mt Kenya and is now part of us as Mt Kenya South voting block. We can get about eight million votes from us and Mr Musyoka gets about 4 million.
"Others to top up and we intend to beat President Ruto with a margin of over six million votes," said Mr Gachagua on February 9, 2025, when he was giving interim directions to his Mt Kenya voting bloc.
After he was impeached in October last year by a combined force of President Ruto and Mr Odinga, Mr Gachagua went ahead to commence building a vengeance-like formation aimed at making President Ruto a one-term tenant at State House.
It was in such an environment that pundits expected Mr Musyoka to remain with the possibility that Mt Kenya presents him with the best of his chances so far at the presidential shot to radiate focus on that ticket.
"The ODM holds the key. Through party leader Odinga, or his appointees like Junet Mohammed.. He should lead the majority side...He should take charge and decide to be the leader of the opposition for the remainder of this electoral term up to 2027," Mr Musyoka said.
Mr Musyoka said by doing so, Mr Odinga would have won back the confidence of Kenyans, more so his followers.
"He should reclaim his legacy as a man who has fought for democracy. He put his life on the line. ..How can he lose all that by siding with dictators in the Kenya Kwanza Alliance government?... If ODM decides to join Ruto, they are lost," he said.
"Mr Odinga has two post African Union Commission (AUC) flop options--Form a new form of Azimio or join Ruto's government. The latter is ill advised option. President Ruto wishes to use him as a lifeline to his sinking ship."
Mr Kalonzo said Mr Odinga might be tempted to enter the Ruto government and reap maximum personal benefits, in the process sacrificing the aspirations of many Kenyans.
He reminded Mr Odinga that "we have maintained the opposition sting in your absence... we managed to deal the Adani deals a killer blow and stopped President Ruto from those deals".
He warned Mr Odinga that "even if you decide to join Ruto we shall remain stronger as we chart the way forward to among other things, rescue the payslip raid that has seen employees lose nearly 50 percent of their toils to harsh taxation regime".
He urged Mr Odinga to remain wary that Kenyans need him in the battle ahead and should not bite into the bait of President Ruto and allies that now seek to make him Prime Minister.