The high cost of Kalonzo Musyoka's thin skin

Wiper Democratic Front party leader Kalonzo Musyoka flanked by other opposition leaders,during a media briefing in Karen on November 20,2025.They alleged Government's plot to rig the coming by-elections,voter bribery and lack of transparency by IEBC in procurement of voting materials.[Benard Orwongo, Standard]

Opposition chief Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka is puffing and huffing. As William Shakespeare would put it, the former vice-president’s veins now run molten fire.

A single political taunt by President William Ruto over the poor state of roads in Tseikuru, Kitui County, has taken the wind out of the Wiper leader.

On December 15, Dr Ruto faulted Mr Musyoka for opposing the ‘Singapore’ agenda, questioning how anyone without ‘akili’ to pave roads to their own home could seek high office.

Immediately, incensed Wiper troops led by Secretary General Shakila Abdalla, rushed to their leader’s defence, saying ‘our man’ can’t be bought or intimidated. In fact, they shifted blame onto unnamed ‘saboteurs’ of the Kibwezi-Mutomo-Kitui-Bondoni road project. If it’s true that someone in government sabotaged this critical road project by withholding exchequer funding, why couldn’t Mr Musyoka finance it using personal resources?

Many citizens have donated their own funds for public good. But this could be expecting too much from a self-important man whose party nominated his own son to the East African Legislative Assembly.

Those around the Wiper chief will tell you that he’s badly rattled by the recent Ruto jibe.

He’s clearly in the eye of a storm he can’t quell. Now, torn between retreating into his usual melonic cocoon and issuing empty statements, he struggles to defend his development record. Wanjiku isn’t amused.

At one point, Mr Musyoka’s name was dragged into a land matter. His foundation also had run-ins with the NGOs regulator in 2017. It was pure witch-hunt but how did he respond?

The man trembled like a leaf. You see, there’s the philosophy that if you can’t take the heat, stay out of the political kitchen.

In 2026, the former vice-president must be told that his thin skin is his undoing.

For the record, anyone eyeing the presidency must not be rattled by mere political talk. When the Wiper boss is shaken like he’s today, we conclude that guilt is consuming him.

For a man who has held high portfolios, struggling to explain poor infrastructure in his turf is like playing a role in a movie.

Enough said, Mr Musyoka must develop a thick skin in 2026 to be taken seriously in 2027. He must learn from his friend Raila Odinga, who, despite being one of the most derided politicians of our time, often chose silence over empty defences.

Mr Odinga was labelled the lord of poverty, the witch doctor, the madman and the ‘vitendawili’ fellow. Not once did we hear him mumble in self-defense or try to convince anyone of his innocence. His thick skin was a cornerstone of his resilience. It cemented his status as an enigma till death. Does the Wiper leader think it was foolish for Mr Odinga to stay silent in face of attacks?

On the whole, the roads row has exposed Mr Musyoka. He must now thank the gods of his ancestors after the highways authority invited contractors to bid for works on the Kandwiya-Kyuso road and tarmacking of the Ksuyo-Tseikuru road, with a pre-tender site visited slotted for mid-January 2026. At last, he will enjoy a smooth ride to his home.  

About the ‘united’ Opposition, the Wiper leader is the undisputed stranger in Jerusalem. I’d ask again? Why is he a passenger rather than a driver as far as opposition leadership is concerned? Doesn’t he realise that 2027 presents him with his best chance ever?

If I were lawyer Nzau Musau or Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua and his fellow trial-and-error advisors within Wiper, I’d urge Mr Musyoka to focus. Anyone facing Ruto can’t afford the luxury of being distracted by sideshows. The Mulu Mutisya protégé should be polishing up his manifesto.

Also by now, he should have expanded Wiper party beyond lower Eastern and convinced us that he’s neither a coward nor a tribal chief like his allies who view government as a shareholding enterprise. Having long ridden on the backs of Daniel Moi, Mwai Kibaki and Odinga, Mr Musyoka must prove himself as the Opposition’s most viable candidate in 2027.

The writer is a communications practitioner. X:@markoloo