NAIROBI, Kenya – Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka has dismissed suggestions that he could abandon the opposition and join President William Ruto’s political camp if he fails to secure the coalition’s presidential ticket for the 2027 General Election.
Kalonzo said his commitment to the opposition’s political cause went beyond personal ambition, insisting that no one should speak on his behalf or suggest that he would leave the coalition over the flagbearer contest.
He made the remarks on Saturday, November 14, during the burial of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s elder sister, Eunice Nyangari, in Nyeri County.
The former Vice President described suggestions that he could defect if denied the presidential ticket as attempts to create confusion among opposition leaders.
“I want to be clear here that I do not want anybody to speak on my behalf. I have spoken before, I have sacrificed before,” Kalonzo stated.
He specifically rejected claims that his commitment to the coalition depended on whether he was selected as its presidential candidate.
“I do not want anyone, whichever community he or she comes from, to claim that if I am not given the flagbearer, I might leave the coalition. Those are naysayers,” he said.
Kalonzo demands written commitment from opposition leaders
Beyond dismissing the defection claims, Kalonzo urged opposition leaders to formalise their commitment to the coalition through a signed agreement.
He argued that a covenant would help prevent misunderstandings and ensure that leaders remained united even if one of them was selected ahead of the others to face Ruto in 2027.
“If that is what it means, I will sign that covenant; we will align it together. Let us not have others being used to confuse. I want that signed covenant between us,” he added.
His proposal comes amid growing discussions among opposition leaders over how to settle on a joint presidential candidate and maintain unity ahead of the next General Election.
The opposition has yet to publicly settle on a single flagbearer, with several prominent leaders positioning themselves for the contest.
Kalonzo recalls sacrifice after 2007 election
Kalonzo also invoked his political history, particularly his decision to support the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga after the disputed 2007 General Election.
He said his past decisions demonstrated that he was prepared to put the broader political cause ahead of his personal presidential ambitions.
The Wiper leader suggested that he would rather sacrifice his own ambitions than become a source of division within the opposition.
His remarks followed renewed public debate over his political future after former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko advised him to consider joining Ruto’s government if opposition leaders denied him the presidential ticket.
Sonko had suggested that Kalonzo negotiate for a senior government position rather than remain in a coalition that might not nominate him.
Kalonzo’s latest comments appear intended to put that speculation to rest while challenging opposition leaders to make their commitment to a common political project explicit.
The burial brought together several opposition figures, including Gachagua, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and other leaders, at a time when political parties are holding consultations ahead of the 2027 polls.
