No Deal With Ruto: Kalonzo Speaks Out After Closed-Door Meeting With Gachagua

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has dismissed speculation that he is eyeing a seat in President William Ruto’s government, saying his focus is on uniting the opposition behind a single candidate to face Ruto in 2027. His remarks came hours after a high-profile visit to Rigathi Gachagua’s Wamunyoro home.

Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has firmly dismissed suggestions that he could be warming up to join President William Ruto’s administration, insisting that his energy is going into building a united opposition front for the 2027 General Election.

Kalonzo spoke on Sunday, October 25, shortly after paying a visit to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua at his Wamunyoro residence, a meeting that set off a fresh round of speculation about alliances and possible realignments ahead of the next vote.

In a statement shared on social media, the Wiper leader described his bond with Gachagua as one rooted in friendship and political cooperation dating back to the former Deputy President’s impeachment.

“Since the impeachment of H.E. Rigathi Gachagua, he and I have stood together as friends and allies,” Kalonzo stated.

He pointed out that Gachagua had earlier travelled to his Muuna home in Tseikuru, Kitui County, framing his Wamunyoro visit as nothing more than a return gesture between friends and political allies.

The former Vice President also accused unnamed allies of the government of spreading propaganda designed to drive a wedge within opposition ranks. According to Kalonzo, their greatest fear is the emergence of a united movement capable of mounting a genuine challenge to Ruto in 2027.

The visit adds momentum to ongoing consultations among opposition heavyweights, including Kalonzo, Gachagua, former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, Martha Karua and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, as they work to avoid splitting the vote next election.

At the heart of those talks is the search for a single joint presidential candidate. Kalonzo has repeatedly pushed for consensus over individual ambition, but the leaders are yet to publicly settle on who will carry the flag against Ruto.

The task ahead is steep. A Politrack Africa poll released on October 1 placed the President comfortably ahead with 45.1 per cent support, followed by Sifuna at 19.6 per cent and Kalonzo at 10.3 per cent. The survey of 20,419 respondents also recorded support for Matiang’i at 7.2 per cent and Gachagua at 6.0 per cent.

Those numbers explain why the unity talk keeps intensifying: even combined, no single opposition figure currently comes close to the President’s standing in the polls.

Whether Kalonzo, Gachagua and company can finally agree on one name before the campaign season kicks into gear remains the biggest open question in Kenyan politics.

Can the opposition unite behind one candidate to beat Ruto in 2027?

Kalonzo Reveals Stand on Joining Ruto’s Government

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