Kalonzo to Ruto: I won't join you, stop the overtures ahead of 2027

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Linda Wananchi brigade led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna address a media briefing in Nairobi on July 30, 2026. [Benard Orwongo Standard]

Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka has ruled out working with President William Ruto ahead of the 2027 General Election, claiming that the Head of State has been using emissaries to persuade him to join the Kenya Kwanza administration.

Speaking at the SKM Command Centre on Thursday after meeting members of the Linda Mwananchi movement led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, Kalonzo dismissed speculation that he had recently held talks with President Ruto.

"I want to tell Mr William Ruto, please stop imagining that I can ever join you. We will meet at the ballot," Kalonzo said.

He alleged that despite his public position, the President's camp had continued making overtures through intermediaries.

"They're sending all kinds of emissaries. Anybody looking back will be a betrayer of national consciousness," he said, urging opposition leaders to remain focused on building a united front ahead of next year's election.

Kalonzo maintained that the opposition had little time to organise, noting that Kenya would officially enter the election year in August.

"We have no time, and this is why Ruto has panicked together with his bloggers," he said.

He also sought to dispel reports that he had secretly met the President, explaining that he had spent the past few days in Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam before returning to Kenya.

"If I will be the last man to drive Ruto out, I will," he said.

The meeting formed part of a series of consultations by the Linda Mwananchi movement, which is seeking to rally opposition leaders behind a common agenda ahead of the 2027 polls.

Sifuna said Kenyans had consistently urged opposition leaders to set aside their differences and unite.

"Our people want to see us together. They want to see one team united as the people who believe President William Ruto does not deserve a second term," he said.

He assured that the coalition would continue engaging opposition figures in a bid to forge a formidable alliance anchored on constitutionalism, democracy and protection of fundamental rights.

Former Embakasi East MP Babu Owino also called for opposition unity, arguing that it was the only way to address the country's economic and governance challenges.

"For Kenyans to get jobs, opposition must be united. For the high cost of living to come down, opposition must be united. For taxes to be lowered, opposition must be united. We don't have an option," Babu said.

 Babu warned that a fragmented opposition would undermine efforts to tackle issues affecting ordinary Kenyans, including unemployment, high taxation and alleged abductions.

"A divided opposition will bring a lot of challenges. For abductions to end in this country, opposition must be united," he said.

The latest meeting comes as opposition leaders intensify consultations over a possible joint presidential ticket to challenge President Ruto in the August 10, 2027 General Election. Meanwhile, the Jubilee Party has dismissed speculation that Kalonzo could be on his way to President Ruto's camp, insisting that the former vice president is a principled politician who cannot be easily swayed.

Speaking after a meeting with Jubilee's Coast region leadership, Secretary General Moitalel Ole Kenta said the Wiper leader had consistently demonstrated political independence and was unlikely to abandon the opposition at a time when it is positioning itself to challenge the Kenya Kwanza administration.

"Many people have always thought Kalonzo is somebody who can be swayed easily, but the day I realized you cannot just sway Kalonzo was when former President Daniel Arap Moi failed to convince him to support Uhuru Kenyatta in 2002," Kenta said.

He dismissed suggestions that Kalonzo could strike a deal with President Ruto, arguing that such a move would not attract support from his political base.

"I don't think he will make that grave mistake. He might go there, but the only vote that Ruto will get will be his," he said.

Kenta maintained that the opposition's priority was not negotiating for government appointments but winning power in the next election.

"The most important thing is for us to take over the government, not to take positions. Positions will come automatically. It's not a matter of positions now; it's a matter of liberating the country," he said.

The Jubilee secretary general also hit out at Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale over recent remarks referring to the Kikuyu community as "hyenas," calling for his apology and resignation.

"We would like to call upon the Cabinet Secretary who called other Kenyans hyenas to come out, apologize, and resign from his position because he does not deserve to be the Cabinet Secretary," Kenta said, urging security agencies to act against politicians spreading ethnic hatred.

The remarks came as Jubilee unveiled a one-year campaign roadmap ahead of the 2027 elections and welcomed several political leaders from Tana River who defected from ANC and UDA.

National Chairperson Vincent Kemosi said the party would roll out nationwide mobilization through rallies and grassroots engagements while preparing candidates for all elective positions. He reaffirmed that former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i remains Jubilee's presidential candidate, even as talks continue within the united opposition on possible cooperation.

Among the new members unveiled were Tana River governor aspirant Hero Said Bwanamaka, Bura parliamentary hopeful Mohamed Hassan, and Galole parliamentary aspirant Mohamed Farah Hargamso, who said he joined Jubilee after ANC was dissolved into UDA without consulting its members.