Manyora explains why Ruto could be uncomfortable if Kalonzo is picked to face him
By Mabonga Makhanu, November 14, 2025Political pundit Herman Manyora has explained why President William Ruto is uneasy with the united opposition managing to settle the flagbearer puzzle.
While speaking on his channel, on Friday, November 14, 2025, the analyst stated that the head of state had been looking forward to capitalising on the disunity that would have emerged among the united opposition principals on settling on the flag bearer, something that each seems to hold ambitions for.
However, it now seems these issues will not arise, as the opposition has managed to resolve the challenge seamlessly without causing any rift.
He went on to state that the president had wanted to replicate what former President Daniel Moi achieved in 1992 and 1997 by winning due to disunity in the opposition and their failure to front a single candidate to face him.
Manyora further states that what is now more worrying for Ruto is the fact that what he thought would be the opposition’s major challenge has been sorted out in a very simple and seamless way, which is agreeing on a presidential candidate.
According to Manyora, Ruto had expected the united opposition to be disunited when picking a candidate.
Instead, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has automatically begun being viewed as a potential flag bearer, with the opposition principals appearing to be contended with it, and also Kalonzo himself has already begun emerging as a unifying figure
“He said the united opposition will be disunited when it comes to picking a candidate, and now somehow, Kalonzo has just become the automatic flag bearer. It’s not even an issue being discussed, not even among themselves. Is not an issue for discussion.” Manyora said.
Kalonzo’s opoda farm debut
Manyora further stated that even Kalonzo Musyoka’s presence in Bondo, where he visited the grave of his long-time political ally Raila Odinga and received a warm reception, is unsettling for the president. Ruto had perceived Kalonzo as a weak candidate, but the reception proved otherwise.
He added that in the coming days, Kalonzo Musyoka will emerge as a different figure from the one previously perceived as weak, and this development will send shivers down Ruto’s spine. According to Manyora, the president will now be forced to do more than he had originally prepared for.