Kalonzo: Ruto cannot claim to be Raila’s friend
By Luke Oluoch, November 22, 2025Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka has hit out at President William Ruto, stating that the president had no moral authority to refer to the late Raila Odinga as his friend.
Speaking during a campaign rally in Siaya County on Saturday, November 22, 2025, Kalonzo launched a sharp attack on Ruto, dismissing his claims of being a close friend of the late Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga.
Insulted Raila
“You, the people of Luo Nyanza — from Siaya and Homa Bay to Kisumu—know very well that Ruto cannot claim to be Raila’s friend. He is the same person who used to insult Baba by calling him a ‘mganga’,” Kalonzo told the crowd while campaigning for the Wiper candidate.
In a clear charm offensive on his return to Raila’s stronghold in the Nyanza region, Kalonzo positioned himself as Raila’s most loyal ally, detailing how he had stood firmly with the ODM leader through decades of political struggles and presidential bids until his passing.
“When I paid my last respects to Raila, I said Raila is a leader who was elected by all people,” he said.
The Wiper leader concluded by stepping up the anti-Ruto campaign for sanctioning the shooting of innocent youths.
“I have no ill intention towards any leader, but Ruto cannot claim to be Raila’s friend. He should be a one-term president. He said that the children should be shot in the leg. We have to stop him democratically. In 2027, we will shoot him democratically to be a one-term president,” he declared.
Canaan’s dream
His remarks come after he similarly described himself as the fitting politician to carry on Raila Odinga’s political legacy and fulfill his Canaan dream.
“You people are at the forefront of defending our democracy, na kwa sababu baba amelala. Mimi ndio Baba mdogo. Watoto walikuwa wanalia, Baba, msilie tena. Nitawashikilia, Ruto hatawaua na Kanaani tunaenda,” he stated.
Kalonzo reminisced about his struggles with Baba, detailing the fight and sacrifices he made for Raila, including shelving his ambition for the DP position after Raila proposed Martha Karua as his running mate for the 2022 elections.
Continuing Raila’s legacy
He urged the region to refuse overtures from people he claimed were masquerading as Raila’s friends but were keen on disrupting the unity of the people from the region.
“Now Baba has slept. I want us to remain united in his honour. Let us not allow people who claim to be his friends to disrupt the unity of the people in Luo Nyanza,” he added.