Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka has hit back at President William Ruto, escalating an already heated war of words between the government and opposition leaders.

Taking to his official X account on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, Kalonzo dismissed the president’s recent remarks targeting opposition figures, instead positioning the opposition as a credible alternative government ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“Mr Ruto, make no mistake, we are the United Alternative Government-in-Waiting, and Kenya is a constitutional democracy,” Kalonzo said.

The former Vice President went further, warning that Kenyans would ultimately pass judgement on the current administration at the ballot. “

“Kenyans will hold you accountable for your unconstitutional and unconscionable looting of our Republic on August 10, 2027,” he added.

Kalonzo’s remarks come in response to President Ruto’s recent verbal attack on opposition leaders, which has triggered a wave of sharp reactions from across the political divide.

The exchange has intensified political tensions, with both sides trading accusations in public forums.

Ruto-Opposition public spat

His remarks come in the wake of a public spat in which President Ruto took a swipe at opposition figures over their physical fitness, prompting sharp responses and escalating political tensions.

President Ruto, while speaking in Cheptais, Mt Elgon, in Bungoma County during his tour of the Western region on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, had encouraged opposition leaders to go to the gym.

Ruto argued that the opposition leaders’ ‘big bellies’ could be behind their struggles to stay awake during official meetings.

“Kwanza nawaambia baadhi yenu mwende gym; acheni kula chakula kingi. Matumbo yamejaa hadi vichwa vinakaribia kupasuka. Mnalala kwenye mikutano hata mchana,” Ruto said.

Ruto also took on the opposition leaders, warning them against scaving for attention in the ongoing governance challenges at Nairobi Hospital.

“To the brainless opposition, the governance challenges at the Nairobi Hospital were nothing more than an opportunity to scavenge for cheap headlines and attention,” Ruto said.

While attacking Kalonzo, Ruto claimed that the former Vice President has been close to power for 50 years, but has had nothing to show.