Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has launched a scathing attack on President William Ruto, declaring that many Kenyans no longer have faith in government promises and now only support the idea of a one-term presidency.

Speaking during an interview on a local media station on July 9, 2025, Kalonzo argued that widespread economic hardship has pushed many Kenyans below the poverty line, contrasting sharply with Ruto’s pre-election pledges to uplift the country.

As a result, he said, Kenyans have urged the United Opposition to prioritise the “One Term” agenda in their manifesto.

“In fact, Kenyans are saying, why should you people be giving us manifestos? … What you’re saying is you want the agenda you should, and we believe it’s one term. That’s the only agenda we think we believe. You can tell us after that what else you think you want to do,” Kalonzo remarked.

He emphasised that the opposition has every right under the Constitution to mobilise and demand the removal of a leader who has failed to live up to the expectations of the electorate.

“The United Opposition has come out to say it is their constitutional right to remove a person who has failed to deliver on the electorate,” Kalonzo noted.

Ruto’s leadership

The Wiper leader criticised what he termed as Ruto’s authoritarian style of leadership, suggesting that it explains the President’s apparent anger in recent public appearances.

“You know, I tell you, all authoritarian leaders world over are known to use very hard language. And that is why we wonder why he’s looking so angry,” Kalonzo observed.

He also accused the Ruto administration of betraying hustlers who had high hopes of economic revival, particularly small-scale traders and jobless youth.

“William Ruto and his team came in saying, we will help mama mbogas. We will help youth get employment. We will make sure that we kick poverty in the teeth,” Kalonzo said.

Economic situation

However, he painted a starkly different picture of the current economic reality facing ordinary Kenyans.

“But this country now, a lot of Kenyans, I can tell you, have dropped below the poverty line. And you know the poverty line internationally is described as anybody who is earning less than a dollar a day. And a dollar today is translated to 120 shillings, 130 shillings,” Kalonzo stated.

Kalonzo further asserted that the economic situation has worsened compared to the previous administration.

“So the country that he took over from, he took over from Uhuru Kenyatta, right, at least was slightly above the poverty line. Kenyans have now descended,” he added.