Aaron Cheruiyot: Kalonzo is still trapped in regional politics
By Emmanuel Rono, May 8, 2026Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot has criticised Wiper Patriotic Front party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, claiming he has failed to transition from regional to national politics despite years in the country’s political scene.
Speaking in an interview on Herman Manyora’s podcast aired on Thursday, May 7, 2026, Cheruiyot argued that Kalonzo’s political influence has remained limited to a few counties since the 2007 General Election, adding that this has shaped the opposition leader’s approach to national discourse.
According to Cheruiyot, this narrow geographic focus has left the former Vice President ill-equipped to handle the complexities of national governance or understand the unique challenges facing other parts of the country.
“Kalonzo has been leading a political party since 2007, whose only area of operation is three counties, so if you want him to appreciate and understand what the issues are in Vihiga County, he will never understand,” Cheruiyot stated.
Need for regional balance
According to Cheruiyot, Kalonzo continues to view politics through a regional lens instead of addressing broader national concerns affecting Kenyans across the country.
“He will never connect,” Cheruiyot stated, suggesting that a leader whose operations are confined to a specific ethnic or regional bloc cannot appreciate the broader national interest.
He further suggested that leaders seeking national office should focus on issues of economic growth, development, and governance rather than ethnic or regional political alignments.
Kalonzo’s campaign ahead of 2027 polls
Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has been criticising President William Ruto’s administration, stating that he has no chance of winning a second term in the 2027 elections.
He made the bold statement on Sunday, February 1, 2026, during a church service at ACK Gitugi in Murang’a County, where opposition leaders gathered in a show of unity.
Kalonzo addressed the congregation directly, criticising Ruto for arrogance and threats.
“Disorder has been the order of the day. Yaani kutukana viongozi wenzako. Kuwatukana tu. Matusi. Nakujipiga kifua. Ukijipiga kifua kusema utashinda na kura millioni mbili millioni tatu. And you know the truth as Fred has said. The truth, is as we speak now, William Ruto has no chance of second term. That is the truth. Ukweli ndio huo,” Kalonzo said.