President William Ruto has challenged Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka to support his re-election bid in the 2027 General Election, reminding the former Vice President of how he campaigned for him during the 1992 parliamentary elections.
During a development tour of Kitui County on Monday, Ruto appealed to Kalonzo to reciprocate the political support he said he offered when the Wiper leader was seeking election as the Member of Parliament for Kitui North.
The President recalled his involvement in Youth for KANU ’92 (YK92), a high-profile youth-led political lobby group that campaigned for former President Daniel arap Moi and the Kenya African National Union (KANU) during Kenya’s first multiparty elections in 1992.
“Remind him that in 1992 I came here and campaigned for him under the KANU party and he won. Tell him to remember me next year. If I ask him to return the favour in 2027, will I have done anything wrong?” Ruto posed.
The President also referenced National Assembly and Senate leader Kithure Kindiki’s political support for Kalonzo in 2007, when the Wiper leader was seeking the presidency.
“Even Kithure Kindiki helped him in 2007 when he wanted to become president,” Ruto said.
Ruto Steps Up 2027 Re-Election Campaign
Ruto’s appeal to Kalonzo comes as he intensifies efforts to secure support ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The President has embarked on nationwide development tours, launching and inspecting projects while highlighting his administration’s achievements and development agenda.
His visit to Kitui, considered part of Kalonzo’s political stronghold, provided another opportunity to appeal to voters and reach out to leaders who could influence the political contest.
However, Kalonzo has maintained his opposition to Ruto’s re-election bid, repeatedly declaring his intention to challenge the President in 2027.
Kalonzo Accuses Ruto of Using Development Tours to Attack Rivals
Kalonzo has criticised Ruto’s development tours, arguing that the President uses project launches and relaunches to attack political opponents instead of concentrating on the needs of ordinary Kenyans.
Speaking during a thanksgiving service at a Seventh-day Adventist Church in Tharaka-Nithi County on Saturday, Kalonzo responded to Ruto’s remarks about their long political history.
“Ruto ako Machakos na ata ameenda kunisifu na ametangaza kwamba yule mpinzani wake sugu ni Kalonzo Musyoka, yule mtu wa miaka arubaini. Lakini Ruto kumbuka for 40 years the Israelites were in the desert, and Kenyans have been in the desert because of poor governorship, theft of public funds and leaders enriching themselves with public funds,” he said.
Kalonzo’s remarks reflected his broader criticism of the Kenya Kwanza administration, which he has accused of failing to adequately address the economic and governance concerns affecting Kenyans.
The Wiper leader is positioning himself as one of the key opposition figures seeking to challenge Ruto in the next election.
United Opposition Leaders Eye Joint 2027 Challenge
Meanwhile, opposition leaders are exploring political cooperation ahead of the 2027 polls, with the aim of mounting a joint challenge against Ruto.
The proposed United Opposition formation brings together leaders including Kalonzo, Jubilee Party’s Fred Matiang’i, Martha Karua of the People’s Liberation Party (PLP), former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, associated with the TEP political movement.
Whether the leaders will agree on a common presidential candidate and a unified campaign strategy remains a key question as political realignments continue ahead of the election.
Ruto’s appeal to Kalonzo highlights the significance of past political alliances in Kenya’s evolving political landscape, even as the two leaders currently occupy opposing sides of the political divide.
