Wiper Sets the Record Straight on Trending Photos of Kalonzo With Ruto, Reveals When They Were Taken

Wiper Patriotic Front Party has clarified the circumstances surrounding old photographs of its leader, Kalonzo Musyoka, with President William Ruto that have resurfaced on social media amid renewed efforts to woo the opposition leader into the President’s political camp.

In a statement dated Tuesday, October 27, 2026, Wiper spokesperson Ndegwa Njiru said the photographs were taken in 2018 when Kalonzo had lost his father and Ruto, who was then Deputy President, visited the bereaved family to offer condolences.

The images also feature then Senator Kithure Kindiki and Senator Kipchumba Murkomen, who accompanied Ruto during the condolence visit.

Lawyer Njiru criticised the circulation of the photographs, accusing those behind their use of exploiting a family’s grief for political purposes.

The Wiper spokesperson described the alleged conduct as opportunistic and condemned the use of private moments of bereavement in political campaigns.

“No volume of blackmail, no orchestration of state-sponsored propaganda, and no distortion of private moments of bereavement will break the resolve of those determined to liberate this country from a predatory regime,” the spokesperson said.

The statement came after the 2018 photographs circulated widely across social media platforms during Ruto’s four-day tour of Ukambani, which ended on Tuesday, October 27.

During the tour, the President and his allies sought to persuade Kalonzo to abandon the opposition and join the broad-based camp ahead of the 2027 General Election.

This is not the first time an old photograph of the two leaders has sparked such speculation.

Previously, an image showing Kalonzo and Ruto at State House circulated widely on social media, prompting Kalonzo to dismiss reports that he was preparing to join the President’s camp.

The resurfaced images have once again fuelled speculation about a possible realignment between Kalonzo and Ruto as the President intensifies efforts to win the Wiper leader’s support ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Wiper, however, reiterated that Kalonzo, its presidential candidate, would only meet Ruto at the ballot.

KingMswati [email protected]