Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has said that working with President William Ruto would mean they would mean both being sent home in the next elections.
The former vice president spoke a day after Dr Ruto held a closed-door meeting with leaders from his stronghold of Ukambani, during which he revealed that he had reached out to ODM leader Raila Odinga in an attempt to shore up his fledgling government, following the Wiper leader's rejection of his overtures.
The Nation has confirmed that there was indeed a backchannel out of desperation with Mr Musyoka, or at least with people close to him, via a wealthy businessman from the Eastern Region, just days after the Gen Z protests forced the President to drop the Finance Bill last year.
The demonstrations forced the President to dissolve and reconstitute his Cabinet to bring in key figures from Mr Odinga’s ODM in what has become known as the broad-based government.
'I can’t remember when I last met Ruto at the State House. We’re taking over this government very early on, because we have Kenyans behind us. We have the #Rutomustogo movement, so do you expect me to join hands with someone who’s going home — no way!' Mr Musyoka said on Friday.
Mr Kalonzo said that he could not recall meeting President Ruto to discuss the topic in question, and insisted that he would never join the Kenya Kwanza government. However, he said that he would push the agenda to ensure that the current government leaves office in 2027.
President William Ruto had borrowed at least Sh1.4 trillion as of December 31, 2024, defying his directive to slow down on loans, although the figure reflects a marginal improvement in the debt-to-Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
‘It’s unimaginable for me to work in this government. I do not want to discuss anything with the Head of State. I respect him, and I will continue in my role as official opposition now that ODM has joined the UDA government. I will stick to what is good for the public and save my neck from Kenyans and Gen Zs,” he said.
Some of Mr Musyoka’s advisers suggested that the President had offered their party leader an enhanced cabinet position and a few others for his allies, an offer they rejected.
While some of his advisers are said to have welcomed the idea, they were in the minority. The general feeling was that joining the Kenya Kwanza government in the wake of the Gen Z protests would be political suicide.
There was almost a consensus within Wiper that the protests would lead to the downfall of Ruto’s government. The advisers argued that it would be unwise to enter a house that was due for demolition and go down with it when they could wait and construct a new one in the same spot. It was then that the decision was made to stay in the opposition.
There is also the baggage that comes with incumbency. Mr Musyoka, his handlers say, does not want to repeat Raila's mistake in 2022.
They believe that had Mr Odinga, the leader of the ODM party and Azimio presidential candidate in the last election, not joined hands with President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2018, he would have won the race to the State House easily.
They say that by joining the president in a loose arrangement, Odinga was associated with the failures of the outgoing government. This meant that somewhat, he had nothing new to offer, and Mr Musyoka, who is keen to run for president, cannot afford to make the same mistake.
President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga at State House in Mombasa on February 24, 2025.
Photo credit: PCS
Speaking in Mombasa at the 42nd annual conference of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK), the Wiper leader said that they are working to build a strong opposition to ensure that President Ruto’s administration is voted out in 2027.
‘We shall follow the Constitution, acting professionally to fight corruption and dispose of those behind it. It is no secret that there is corruption in Kenya, and in my opinion, the accounting profession should be at the forefront of accountability and transparency in a healthy democracy,” said Mr Kalonzo.
During the conference, he challenged accountants to speak out against the current regime's blatant attempts at state capture of independent constitutional offices, such as those of the Auditor General and the Controller of Budget. He also called for an end to the intimidation of current office-bearers, particularly Nancy Gathungu and Dr Margaret Nyakang'o.
‘The righteous acts of Ms Gathungu and Dr Nyakang’o in exposing the widespread corruption perpetuated by the current leadership should be celebrated. Despite threats and outright intimidation, they have remained strong and steadfast. Their moral conscience remains unwavering, and I urge the ICPAK leadership to support these two heroines, who are members of your profession,” said the Wiper leader.
He said that there is a civic awakening sweeping through the nation, especially among the youth, and described the events of 25 June last year as a turning point in our national consciousness.
“When young Kenyans took to the streets in their droves, they were not just protesting against the punitive Finance Bill 2024. Armed with nothing but a bottle of water, our national flag, and their mobile phones, they were reclaiming their role in shaping the future of our nation,” he said.
He challenged professionals to take the lead, speak out when public money is being stolen, and oppose unsustainable policies.
“I challenge you to go beyond compliance and act according to your conscience. Compliance asks, 'Is it legal?', while conscience asks, 'Is it right?”.
Mr Kalonzo also challenged the accountants to speak out about the ongoing reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), saying that if the opposition and the broad-based government — consisting of UDA and ODM — had held consultations and agreed in accordance with the recommendations of the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report, a nominee such as Philip Kakai, an accountant and one of the nine shortlisted members recommended for the reconstituted IEBC, could have been included.
“As a professional body, I urge you to step up and join the growing number of people who have expressed no confidence in the Ruto nominations. You should also request a full and unvarnished accounting of the vetting process by the IEBC Selection Panel,” he said.
