Kalonzo Musyoka has been a pivotal figure in Kenyan politics for nearly two decades, playing a crucial role in various coalition governments. He was appointed Vice President by President Mwai Kibaki in 2008 to help stabilize the government after post-election violence. Since then, he has been a trusted running mate to Raila Odinga under the CORD and NASA coalitions. As the 2027 General Election approaches, both the Kenya Kwanza administration and the United Opposition are actively seeking his support.
Kalonzo's regional following, particularly in Ukambani, has made him a potentially indispensable coalition partner. His support in the 2007 elections demonstrated the strength of his regional voting bloc, with over 80% of his votes coming from Ukambani. With the IEBC's voter register standing at 24.45 million and projected to rise to 28.4 million by 2027, securing the support of a region known for voting as a bloc can prove decisive in the presidential election.
President William Ruto has publicly courted Kalonzo, asking the local community to persuade him to support his re-election bid. Ruto praised Kalonzo for acknowledging the government's development record and urged him to work with his administration. However, Kalonzo has rejected the Kenya Kwanza administration's invitation to abandon the opposition and support Ruto's re-election bid, stating that his answer is "no".
On the other hand, Kalonzo has met with DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua, with consultations centered on building a united political front and agreeing on a single presidential candidate to challenge Ruto. Gachagua has dismissed the government's attempts to woo Kalonzo, insisting that the Wiper leader remains firmly committed to the opposition's quest to send Ruto home.
Gachagua has described himself as Kalonzo's political cousin and spokesperson, saying anyone seeking to strike a deal with the Wiper leader should go through him. He has also stated that Kalonzo is a leader to be trusted and cannot betray the people of Kenya. The two leaders are expected to hold another meeting to consolidate the opposition ahead of the 2027 election.
Kalonzo has positioned himself as the most suitable opposition candidate to face Ruto in 2027, ruling out the likelihood of dropping his ambition to support his rival. Ruto has himself declared that his most formidable challenger will be Kalonzo Musyoka, making it clear that the Wiper leader is a significant threat to his re-election bid.
As the 2027 General Election approaches, Kalonzo's support will be crucial in determining the outcome. With his regional following and experience in coalition governments, he remains a sought-after ally in Kenyan politics. The opposition's decision to name their presidential flagbearer early next year will also be an important factor in the lead-up to the election.
Key points
- Kalonzo Musyoka has rejected the Kenya Kwanza administration's invitation to abandon the opposition and support President William Ruto's re-election bid.
- The Wiper leader remains a crucial figure in Kenyan politics, with a strong regional following in Ukambani.
- Kalonzo has positioned himself as the most suitable opposition candidate to face Ruto in 2027.
