NAIROBI, Kenya — Wiper Democratic Movement leader Kalonzo Musyoka has warned the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) against pursuing political cooperation with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA), cautioning that such engagements risk weakening the opposition ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking while hosting a delegation from Murang’a County, Kalonzo said ODM should tread carefully when forming pre-election coalitions, arguing that rapprochement with UDA would not serve the long-term interests of the opposition or its supporters.
Kalonzo accused President Ruto of deliberately engineering political manoeuvres aimed at fracturing the opposition, claiming the Head of State’s overtures toward ODM leaders are driven purely by the desire to consolidate power ahead of 2027.
“Any move that draws ODM closer to UDA will only weaken the opposition. This is not about national unity; it is about political survival,” Kalonzo said.
The Wiper leader argued that Ruto has consistently sought to destabilise rival parties by exploiting internal divisions, warning that ODM risks becoming a casualty of those tactics if it engages UDA without clear safeguards.
“The President is at the centre of every effort to tear opposition parties apart. His only interest is securing support for 2027,” Kalonzo added.
Kalonzo said opposition parties should instead focus on strengthening unity, developing a common reform agenda, and preparing for a competitive election rather than pursuing short-term political bargains.
“The opposition must remain vigilant. We cannot afford to trade our role as a check on government for temporary political comfort,” he said.
Other opposition leaders allied to Wiper echoed Kalonzo’s concerns, warning that blurred lines between government and opposition risk eroding public trust and weakening accountability. They urged ODM to prioritise institutional reforms, electoral justice, and economic accountability as the basis for any future coalition talks.
However, ODM leaders have previously defended engagement with the government as a pragmatic approach aimed at influencing policy and safeguarding national stability.
