Wiper Democratic Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka is widely seen as a front-runner in the 2027 presidential polls.

With experience spanning over 40 years, the 71-year-old politician will most probably be firing his last political bullet in a do-or-die battle with President William Ruto, who is expected to seek re-election.

Wooing others Buoyed by a resurgent former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Kalonzo is in talks with other leaders including Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua, Democratic Action Party (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa, Jubilee Party secretary general Jeremiah Kioni and former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i for a possible alliance.

Kalonzo, who started his political career as Kitui North MP and rose to vice president under President Mwai Kibaki, claims that he is now the most experienced politician to take on President Ruto in the absence of opposition chief Raila Odinga. “If there is any leader with more experience than me, we can have a discussion.

“The 2027 general election is the best time for me to take over the country’s leadership to turn it around for the better after which we will hand over leadership of the nation to the young generation when our term ends,” said Kalonzo.

Citizens’ trust In a TV interview at his Karen residence last week, Kalonzo fired a salvo at his political nemesis President Ruto, warning him that the absence of Raila does not mean he should automatically inherit the ODM leader’s supporters.

Instead, he reckoned, less than 20 per cent of Kenyans approve of the current administration, adding that Ruto should be prepared to leave office in 2027.

The Ruto administration, he declared, had failed Kenyans and that time had run out for him to make any amends to regain citizens’ trust.