Wiper boss Kalonzo Musyoka’s foot soldiers are now piling pressure on Opposition chief Raila Odinga to declare his support for the one-time Vice President in the 2027 polls.

Kalonzo has also declared that he would rather retire from politics than support Raila for the presidency in 2027.

Kalonzo, the immediate Co-Chair of the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO), is said to be cobbling up a grand machinery in his desired march to State House should the Azimio boss Raila support his bid.

Having backed Raila for the Presidency three times and failed, Kalonzo’s lieutenants are now piling pressure on the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition to back their man come the 2027 polls.

The leaders allied to the Wiper party believe Kalonzo has all that it takes to face President William Ruto in the 2027 political contest and with Raila and former President Uhuru Kenyatta on their side, they are confident to mount a formidable race.

Redouble commitment

Senate Deputy Minority Whip Enock Wambua (Kitui) charged that the Azimio-OKA fraternity must redouble its commitment to fight for the rights of the masses even as they prepare to take over the management of the affairs of the country in 2027 through the ballot.

Wambua, a close ally of Kalonzo further argues that the political parties forming the Azimio-OKA coalition must swing into action in the new year and in one accord, make bold strides towards forming the next government to save Kenyans from what he termed as “the clueless, inept and incompetent Kenya Kwanza administration.”

“With eyes firmly fixed on the next General Election, the Wiper fraternity, steadfast within the Azimio-OKA, is a party on a mission. We shall demonstrate, in word and in deed, to our leader, to our coalition and indeed the entire country that Kalonzo is the right leader to take over and fix the mess deliberately created by the failed Kenya Kwanza administration and save this country,” said Wambua.

He went on: “For the avoidance of doubt and for the record, Kalonzo is the President that Kenya has been waiting for. In the minds of the Kenyan population, Kalonzo must assume the duty of care to govern this country as President and Commander in Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces as soon as is practically possible but not later than August 2027.”

Trustworthy leader

While describing Kalonzo as an honest, trustworthy and incorruptible leader whom Ruto cannot beat in an open presidential contest, Wambua was categorical that Kalonzo has demonstrated credentials to not only beat Ruto but also correct the ‘mess’ deliberately brought by his administration.

“In the race to defeat Ruto, we shall seek votes from all eligible voters in this country. So serious is this movement that I am asking President William Ruto to consider voting for Kalonzo to be Kenya’s president in the August 2027 presidential election,” he said. Wambua further argued that Kalonzo has proved to be a statesman by sacrificing his own presidential ambitions three times since 2013.

“In 2013, Raila asked Kalonzo to drop his presidential bid and be his running mate. Kalonzo did not disappoint. In 2017, Raila asked Kalonzo to drop his credible presidential ambition and to back his bid for the top seat as his running mate for the second time. Kalonzo did not disappoint. In 2022, Raila asked Kalonzo to not only drop his credible presidential bid but to go further and vacate the running mate slot. Kalonzo Musyoka did not disappoint,” said Wambua.

Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo while backing Kalonzo for the top seat in the 2027 presidential election, charged that the Wiper leader is the most acceptable candidate to face off with President Ruto.

According to Maanzo, they have tried the former Prime Minister Raila thrice but failed, adding that even if they backed the ODM leader, Central Kenya will still reject him.

“You cannot do the same thing over and over again and expect different results. We have tried Raila three times and in all those elections, Central Kenya rejected him. They will still reject him. The only person accepted across the whole country is Kalonzo Musyoka,” said Maanzo.

Political base

Maanzo further argues that Kalonzo should move around the country in a move to solidify his political base, adding that it is about three years only before the next polls.

“Kalonzo as a Presidential candidate is the only formula to win the next elections. We are telling the Kenya Kwanza administration that there is something fundamentally wrong with their policies and another government will come to clean up their mess.”

MPs Jessica Mbalu (Kibwezi East), Patrick Makau (Mavoko), Gideon Mulyungi (Mwingi Central) and Makali Mulu (Kitui Central) have also thrown their weight behind Kalonzo, saying that it is now high time for the former Vice President to express his interest and tell Kenyans that he is ready for the top seat.

“Kenya Kwanza administration has made the lives of the majority of Kenyans miserable. Kenyans are now looking at alternative leadership. Kalonzo is the right candidate and he is ahead of the park,” said Mulu.
Last year National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi (Ugunja) opined that the Wiper leader has the potential to carry the Azimio flag as its Presidential candidate, adding that the time for appointing who will be the coalition’s presidential candidate is nigh.

Days later, Raila was forced to make a hasty retreat after media reports indicated him showering the Wiper with praises for standing with him in his political journey, and instead said he had not endorsed Kalonzo for the presidency in 2027.

The former Vice President has reiterated his calls on his Ukambani political bedrock to rally behind him and sought to create the impression that President Ruto is bothered about his candidacy.

“I have seen it all and the Kamba nation should remain steadfast. This time round there is nothing stopping Kalonzo from becoming the President of Kenya. Ruto is the only obstacle and he knows it,” said Kalonzo.