Kalonzo: Ruto is the worst EAC chairman since its formation
By Mabonga Makhanu, March 7, 2026Kalonzo Musyoka has termed William Ruto the worst chairman of the East African Community (EAC) since the inception of the regional bloc.
Kalonzo made the remarks on Saturday, March 7, 2026, during a joint statement by principals of the United Opposition in Meru County.
The Wiper Party leader criticised Ruto’s tenure as chair of the EAC Summit, describing it as underwhelming and lacking the leadership expected from Kenya, a country historically viewed as a pillar within the regional bloc.
“William Ruto is handing over the chairmanship of the East African Community summit and has performed poorly during his tenure as chairman,” Kalonzo stated.
Kalonzo linked the weak leadership to growing dissatisfaction among some member states, saying it had contributed to delays and reluctance by certain countries to remit the required financial contributions to the regional body.
The now-united Alternative Government (UAG) also raised concerns about what it described as the erosion of Kenya’s long-standing diplomatic standing in the region.
They noted that for decades, Kenya has played a respected and indispensable role as a neutral mediator in regional conflicts, from South Sudan and Somalia to the Great Lakes region and the Horn of Africa.
Kenyans’ diplomatic quest
According to the opposition leaders, that reputation built over generations of diplomacy and regional engagement is now facing a serious strain, with concerns that Kenya’s foreign policy direction could expose the country to diplomatic isolation and reputational damage.
“Kenya played a respected and indispensable role as a neutral mediator in regional conflicts from South Sudan to Somalia, the Great Lakes region to the Horn of Africa.” That role, hard-earned over generations of principled diplomacy, is now being systematically destroyed by one man’s greed and contempt for Kenya’s national interest.”
Comprising Kenyans’ diplomatic credibility
The coalition further warned that any perceived association between the Kenyan government and actors implicated in grave international crimes could potentially expose the country to sanctions regimes and weaken its credibility as a regional peace broker.
They argued that such developments risk undermining Kenya’s long-standing role as a facilitator of peace and security initiatives in the region, including its strategic position in hosting key regional infrastructure supporting humanitarian operations.
The opposition also raised broader concerns about governance in the country, warning of what they described as the emergence of a captured state where institutions meant to safeguard national interests risk being weakened by political interference.