Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka faces a herculean task in his quest for the presidency, competing political interests in the opposition threatening to derail his second attempt at the country’s top job.
Disagreements among opposition parties over who should lead the campaign to unseat President William Ruto are increasingly putting the 72-year-old politician under pressure, with some supporters saying he is best suited for the job while others question his chances. On Monday, he met DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua in Wamunyoro, days after a similar visit by Linda Mwananchi leader Edwin Sifuna, in a renewed push to agree on a single opposition candidate.
On Monday, while touring Mr Musyoka’s Tseikuru backyard, President Ruto appeared sympathetic to the former Vice-President, citing what he described as humiliation by his political allies in 2022 when he was asked to attend an interview to be Azimio candidate Raila Odinga’s running mate. He was eventually bypassed by Martha Karua in Azimio’s unsuccessful bid.
“The same people who organised the interview in 2022 are planning another one soon. Instead of Kalonzo going for another interview, he should join me,” Dr Ruto said, adding that previously as a Youth for Kanu ’92 member, he campaigned for Mr Musyoka.
Ruto to Ukambani residents: I once campaigned for Kalonzo and he won, tell him to return the favour
The President has repeatedly criticised Mr Musyoka’s nearly four-decade political career, arguing that he has failed to spearhead meaningful development in Ukambani.
DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua welcomes Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka at his Wamunyoro home in Nyeri County on October 26, 2026.
Photo credit: Mwangi Muiruri | Nation Media Group
On Monday, Dr Ruto directed the contractor building the 55-kilometre Kandwia-Kyuso-Tseikuru Road to extend it to Mr Musyoka’s doorstep, about three kilometres from Tseikuru Township.
The remarks came as Mr Musyoka explored another political option, paying a visit to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua at the DCP leader’s Wamunyoro residence in Nyeri County to discuss possible cooperation.
Mr Musyoka, who represented Mwingi North in Parliament from 1985-2013, ran for president in 2007, finishing third behind Mwai Kibaki and Raila Odinga . He subsequently supported the late former Prime Minister in the 2013, 2017 and 2022 elections.
His latest presidential ambition faces the challenge of securing the endorsement of a fragmented opposition, particularly as younger politicians gain prominence and questions emerge over his electoral strength.
One possibility causing unease among his allies is the prospect of Mr Musyoka deputising Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, whose political profile has been rising and who is increasingly being touted as a potential presidential candidate.
Another option is to accept Dr Ruto’s overtures and join his re-election campaign, although even that would not guarantee him the running mate position.
Three months ago, Democratic Party leader Justin Muturi publicly endorsed Mr Musyoka as the opposition’s preferred presidential candidate.
“I want to say this while I’m here today, and God help me. If it will not be me, I will support Dr Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka to be the flagbearer,” Mr Muturi said during a church service in Kamulu, Machakos County.
During Mr Musyoka’s visit to Wamunyoro, Nyandarua Senator John Methu, an ally of Mr Gachagua, said the two leaders needed to agree on a formula for unseating Dr Ruto.
Wiper Democratic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka (left) and Former Deputy President and Democracy for the Citizens Party leader Rigathi Gachagua at Gachagua's WAmunyoro residence in Nyeri County on October 26, 2026.
Photo credit: Pool
“Anybody who believes that President Ruto should go home shouldn’t think that if it is not him, then it is Ruto is not a real one-term proponent. Kalonzo and Mr Gachagua have agreed the baby will not die in their hands,” Mr Methu said.
However, Mr Musyoka’s allies have dismissed claims by former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala that the Wiper leader should deputise Mr Sifuna in 2027.
Over the weekend, Mr Malala claimed that Mr Gachagua had agreed to support Mr Sifuna’s presidential bid during a meeting at Wamunyoro last week.
“The remarks attributed to Senator Malala can only be characterised as the work of a playwright rather than a serious political actor. Malala appears intent on driving a divisive knife through the heart of the opposition,” Wiper spokesperson Ndegwa Njiru said.
Such a move could, however, force him to settle for a lesser position, given that ODM and allies of Prof Kindiki have already laid claim to the influential Deputy President's office.
University don Prof Lumala Masibo believes Mr Musyoka’s political future will depend on the opposition’s ability to agree on a common strategy.
“The opposition needs to have a formula, and each leader should be ready to support one another. Politics are interesting; the road to Kalonzo’s home is being made, and it seems he is getting friendly to Ruto,” he said.
He added that failing to run in 2027 could damage Mr Musyoka’s political future, but if he runs against Ruto even with opposition support or alone, he will be whitewashed.”
But should he join the Ruto camp, according to the don, he could be a potent force.
“Kalonzo will be the neutral person to pacify ODM and Prof Kindiki factions. So if he is to join Ruto, then he is most likely to be a running mate,” Prof Masibo added.
He argued that Prof Kindiki’s influence in the Mt Kenya region remained uncertain, while ODM’s internal challenges could push the party towards continued cooperation with Dr Ruto, even without securing the Deputy President’s position.
The former Vice President has, however, repeatedly indicated he is in the opposition for the long haul.
Mr Musyoka could also decide to run independently in 2027, but Prof Masibo warned that divisions within the opposition would weaken its chances of mounting a serious challenge.
In 2007, when Ukambani largely backed his candidacy, Mr Musyoka secured 879,903 votes on an ODM-Kenya ticket, against Mr Odinga’s 4.3 million and Mr Kibaki’s 4.5 million.
Bumula MP Wanami Wamboka, who is allied to Linda Mwananchi faction, recently told Nation there are questions about Mr Musyoka after he rebranded Azimio as Ukombozi, a name the Sifuna camp had also indicated they would use.
“Our focus is working with Mount Kenya all the way to the ballot, and the only way we can work with him is if the opposition will produce a joint presidential candidate, who is Sifuna,” said Mr Wamboka.
According to political analyst Javas Bigambo, age, finances, strategy and even fortune is not on Mr Musyoka’s side, and he has not built any exciting momentum to show him as a serious presidential candidate.
Mr Bigambo says one other option is for Mr Musyoka to be a running mate to Mr Sifuna but will have devalued himself by deputising someone who has served as a one-term senator.
“If Sifuna deputises him, then Western region will revolt and will most likely not vote for the opposition. Kalonzo needs to rethink his political messaging,” he says.
Kitui Senator Enock Wambua says, in his personal opinion, he would advise his Wiper party leaders not to take the option of being Mr Sifuna’s deputy since he (Mr Musyoka) stands the best chance to bag the presidency in 2027
“The day others settle on him, Ruto should start packing from State House because 2027 is his best chance. I have seen him deputise Raila twice and was not even in the ballot in the last elections, and that means he can sacrifice his ambition, but in my personal view I would advise him not to deputise Sifuna,” said Mr Wambua in an interview with Nation.
He has also dismissed the narrative that Mr Musyoka is not appealing to young voters, saying that being in politics for so long has earned him the experience to lead the country, including working with young people.
“Kalonzo ticks all boxes, and we will push his candidature within the opposition,” added the senator.
