Wiper Party chairman Jamleck Kamau has addressed the speculation surrounding UDA founding chairman Johnson Muthama's alleged defection from President William Ruto's fold. Muthama met with Kalonzo Musyoka on October 1, sparking rumors that he was leaving the ruling coalition. Kamau clarified that Muthama remains in government, but confirmed that the party is actively working to bring him into Kalonzo Musyoka's 2027 presidential campaign.
The meeting between Muthama and Kalonzo Musyoka intensified speculation in political circles, with some observers suggesting Muthama was on his way out of the ruling coalition. Muthama is Machakos County's first Senator and a current Commissioner at the Parliamentary Service Commission. Kamau moved to address the rumors directly, stating that Muthama would not be the only figure to eventually shift allegiances.
Kamau announced that Wiper would advise Kalonzo Musyoka to stop responding to President Ruto's public attacks. The escalating war of words between Kalonzo and President Ruto has been ongoing, with Ruto repeatedly mocking Kalonzo for decades spent as a minister, Member of Parliament, and vice president without visible development projects to show for it in his Ukambani backyard.
The Wiper chairman framed Kalonzo's campaign around contrasting his record with the current administration. The party wants its candidate to focus on "delivering this country from the yokes of whatever we are seeing today; mismanagement, corruption, and all those things that we are seeing today in this government." This approach aims to highlight the differences between Kalonzo's experience and the current government's performance.
Kamau made clear that the party would take on the role of responding to President Ruto directly, rather than Kalonzo. He emphasized that Kalonzo is a diplomat and presidential material who respects Kenyans, and therefore should not engage in public insults. The party will handle responses to Ruto's comments on Kalonzo's behalf.
Johnson Muthama's status in the government has been a subject of interest, given his meeting with Kalonzo Musyoka. While some speculated that he was leaving Ruto's fold, Kamau confirmed that Muthama is still in government. The Wiper Party is working to bring Muthama into Kalonzo Musyoka's 2027 presidential campaign, adding to the speculation about potential shifts in allegiances.
The developments within the Wiper Party and the alleged defection rumors surrounding Johnson Muthama highlight the ongoing dynamics in Kenyan politics. As the 2027 presidential campaign approaches, parties and leaders are positioning themselves for the upcoming elections. The Wiper Party's efforts to bring Muthama into Kalonzo Musyoka's campaign and their strategy to contrast Kalonzo's record with the current administration will likely continue to shape the political landscape.
Key points
- The Wiper Party is working to bring Johnson Muthama into Kalonzo Musyoka's 2027 presidential campaign.
- Johnson Muthama remains in government, according to Wiper Party chairman Jamleck Kamau.
- The party will advise Kalonzo Musyoka to stop responding to President Ruto's public attacks.
