EMBU, Kenya — Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka has dismissed reports suggesting that former President Uhuru Kenyatta is orchestrating opposition plans to challenge President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election, insisting that opposition leaders are independently charting their political strategy.
Speaking at the ACK Cathedral in Embu, Kalonzo cautioned against portraying the retired Head of State as the architect of the opposition’s campaign against the Kenya Kwanza administration.
“Do not paint a picture that Uhuru is organising us to face Ruto. We are organising ourselves to face Ruto, and nobody will do it for us,” Kalonzo said.
The Wiper leader explained that a meeting scheduled for Monday and chaired by Uhuru in his capacity as Chairperson of the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Council would focus on strengthening the coalition rather than planning a political offensive against President Ruto.
“The meeting Uhuru chairs on Monday is just about moving Azimio forward and not arranging how to tackle Ruto,” he said.
Kalonzo emphasized that Uhuru’s responsibilities should be viewed within the framework of his leadership role in the coalition and not as the individual directing opposition political strategy.
“Uhuru is a retired President, but he is also the council chair of Azimio la Umoja. I am the party leader of Azimio,” Kalonzo said.
He also urged against creating unnecessary political speculation around the former President’s involvement in coalition affairs.
“Do not make Ruto panic that Uhuru is plotting against him. He is just there to make sure Azimio as a political organisation moves to the next level and brings everybody on board,” he added.
The remarks come amid media speculation that Uhuru’s participation in the upcoming Azimio Council meeting signals efforts to reorganise the opposition ahead of the 2027 elections.
However, Kalonzo maintained that opposition leaders are taking responsibility for shaping their own political agenda.
“Uhuru is not organising us. We are doing it ourselves,” he said.
The anticipated Azimio Council meeting comes at a time of heightened political activity as opposition parties seek to strengthen their structures and define a common strategy ahead of the next General Election.
Kalonzo has consistently ruled out working with President Ruto’s administration and has repeatedly called for greater unity among opposition leaders, arguing that like-minded political parties must work together to present Kenyans with an alternative leadership option in 2027.
Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party was formed ahead of the 2022 General Election, bringing together several political parties behind former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s presidential bid. The coalition, which includes Wiper Democratic Movement, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), Jubilee Party and other affiliate parties, lost the presidential contest to William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza Alliance.
With political realignments gathering momentum, the coalition is expected to continue consultations on its future direction as preparations for the 2027 General Election intensify.
