Kalonzo’s allies accompany President Ruto during his first day of Ukambani tour
By Mabonga Makhanu, November 12, 2025Leaders allied to Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka were spotted welcoming and accompanying President William Ruto during the first day of his developmental tour of the Ukambani region.
On Wednesday, November 12, 2025, after his stopover in Makueni County to inspect and launch several projects, the President was first welcomed by the county boss, Mutula Kilonzo Junior, and his senator, Dan Maanzo, who is a close ally of the Wiper leader.
Both had previously been part of Kalonzo’s entourage that visited Opoda Farm to pay tribute to the late Raila Odinga and have been critical of the Ruto-led regime. They had also skipped the Mashujaa Day celebrations held at Ithookwe Stadium, Kitui County on Monday, October 20, 2025, leaving the host governor Julius Malombe to preside over the occasion alone.
The two leaders were seen sharing light moments with the President, laughing and accompanying him to various project sites.
Dan Maanzo, who also serves as a commissioner of the People’s Restorative and Justice Commission (PRCJ), launched months ago at Ufangamano House, was seen visiting several affordable housing programs projects he had previously criticized, claiming they would achieve little.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, who has been courting their party boss Kalonzo Musyoka to enter a broad-based arrangement, who has also being positioning as one of the frontrunners in the united opposition set to face President Ruto in 2027, was also walking alongside the leaders.
Ruto’s advice to Mutua
President Ruto praised Mutula Kilonzo, who, during the developmental tour, raised key projects in Makueni that needed the intervention of the president.
In response, President Ruto told Makueni Governor Kilonzo Junior that he does not need anyone’s permission to work with him.
The statement appeared to be a subtle message aimed at Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, who has long been Kilonzo Junior’s political godfather. President Ruto emphasised that the governor does not need approval from anyone, including his party leader, to collaborate with him.
He described Kilonzo Junior as a capable leader and encouraged him to communicate directly, bypassing intermediaries. He reminded him that elected leaders are accountable to the citizens, not to any individual.
“Unajua huyu junior ni kiongozi mzuri, lakini kuna watu wanamtishia, ya kwamba akifanya kazi na Ruto ati atawafanya maneno. Huyu junior anahitaji ruhusa ya mtu yeyote kufanya kazi na mimi. Si ile maneno yote amesema hapa anitumie kwa SMS, kwa sababu ako na number yangu, badala ya kuuliza ruhusa kwa watu wengine. Sisi tumeajiriwa na wananchi; hatuna ruhusa ya mtu kama tutafanya ama hatutafanya,” Ruto said.
Mutua’s reaction
Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua also took a swipe at Mutula Kilonzo’s request to the President, saying that despite Kilonzo Junior being in the opposition and resistant to supporting Ruto, he believes the President will be reelected in 2027.
Mutua noted that the projects Kilonzo Junior requested would, according to him, take longer than the current term and would not be completed before 2027.