By Anderson Ojwang
Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka finds himself in a tight spot. Unlike the 2007 general elections where he “pitia katikati” (passed through the middle), currently all eyes are on him.
The opposition torch is on Kalonzo, while President William Ruto of the broad-based government continues to dangle the carrot. Which way, Kalonzo Musyoka?
Kindiki fights on
Over the weekend, Deputy President Prof Abraham Kithure Kindiki caused more storm after he declared that he will not leave his post for Kalonzo.
He said Kalonzo had held senior government positions in the government for over 40 years but failed to even tarmac a road to his own home.
“You have for over 40 years held senior positions like this one of fireman. You have not even tarmacked a road to your home. They want to cheat and lie to us that that is the person who will help Kenya,” he said.
Kindiki said he will not budge and give up his position as Deputy President for Kalonzo.
“After 40 years you have not solved the problem, and we are being told fireman should leave so that you help the people. No way. Is there tarmac in Seikuru? No way, my friend,” he said.
Last year, Kindiki revealed that he was wooing Kalonzo to join President Ruto’s administration and that he had not given up on the matter.
On June 13, 2025, Kindiki called on Kalonzo to reconsider his position in the opposition and join the government, suggesting that he would be a more supportive ally than former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Kindiki said Kalonzo has the potential to be a “good friend” to the government, unlike Gachagua, whom he described as “hostile and selfish.”
“If you people allow me, I will go and look for my big brother Kalonzo,” he said then.
Ruto on Kalonzo’s presidency
President Ruto, in an engagement with Kalonzo’s support base, told them that they do not have to force Kalonzo to run for the presidency.
“I hear that you have told Stephen that whatever it takes, he must run for the presidency. That is not bad, but remember, I too was told so by those who supported me. At the end, I measured. Those who run for the sake of it are many, but winning is a different ball game. So don’t give conditions to Kalonzo that he must contest for the presidency. Tell Kalonzo to go and plan with others so that we see a way out,” he said.
Gachagua
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua recently warned President Ruto to keep off Kalonzo and stop sending emissaries to the Wiper leader.
On October 6, 2025, Gachagua dismissed Kenya Kwanza’s continued effort to convince Kalonzo to join them.
“Ruto ridiculed Kalonzo, saying he is a mere dengu farmer. I want to tell him to leave Kalonzo alone. He is not available for you,” he stated.
Attack
Last week, Kalonzo revealed that he had been under attack from President Ruto and his allies to lure him to their fold, claiming that he was about to cross over.
Kalonzo admitted at the press conference that he was under a terrible attack by President Ruto and his teams, claiming that he was joining the government.
“I am thrilled because you have also come to Linda Kalonzo. Because I am under attack, a terrible attack that I met William Ruto,” he said.
Kalonzo said there were claims that last Thursday evening he was supposed to join President Ruto at the 7.00 pm presser on the conversation on the future of Kenya.
“There were claims that yesterday and that this morning I should be joining him for the 7.00 pm presser. You have come to Linda my name, and through God I have Linda my name, constitution and our pride. I cannot make that terrible mistake,” he said.
Meeting Ruto
Kalonzo explained that last Tuesday, after a breakfast meeting with the Editors, he travelled to Zanzibar and was nowhere near meeting President Ruto.
He dismissed claims that he had met with President Ruto in State House and that the president’s bloggers were churning out fake news.
“The social media platforms were awash with me joining Ruto. I was in Zanzibar after having a meeting with editors. Yesterday I took a boat from Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam and back to Nairobi,” he said.
The social media has been awash with video clips of Kalonzo in State House meeting President Ruto and that he was about to join the government.
Emissaries
Kalonzo admitted and said President Ruto has been sending emissaries to various opposition leaders to join him.
“They are sending all kinds of emissaries. We cannot fall into the trap. We must take Ruto home and liberate the country,” he said.
No to Ruto
Kalonzo has waved a red card to President Ruto, saying he cannot join the President.
“Ruto and his bloggers, stop dreaming. I want to assure our supporters that if I am the last man to drive Ruto out of State House, I will. I want to tell Mr William Ruto, please stop imagining that one Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka can ever join you. We will meet at the ballot. We will have that conversation at the ballot next year,” he said.
2002 moment
Kalonzo said the country was witnessing the 2002 moment rehappening and warned that any opposition leader who goes against the grain will be washed away.
In the 2002 moment, former Kanu Secretary General, the late Raila Odinga, led top Kanu officials – Kalonzo, the late George Saitoti, Musalia Mudavadi – to the opposition after then President Daniel Moi picked Uhuru Kenyatta as the presidential candidate.
In 2002, Mudavadi moved back to Kanu and was appointed Vice President but lost the Sabatia parliamentary seat to little-known clergy Moses Akaranga.
Infuriated and disappointed, Mudavadi declined Kanu nomination to Parliament and instead was left in the sun and was only rehabilitated by Raila during the 2005 constitutional referendum.
“We have a 2002 moment. At that time, anyone of us who tried to look backwards was rejected by the public. Whoever wants to betray the public will find himself or herself in a political pit,” he said.
Kalonzo, referencing the biblical Lot, warned Sifuna and his opposition colleagues of the dangers of joining President Ruto.
“I want to make it clear before the public that if I hear Edwin you have met Ruto, if my brother Rigathi… Will you become like Bible Lot’s wife? Anybody looking back will be a betrayer of national consciousness,” he said.
Spotlight
For Kalonzo, the spotlight is on him. The public, the opposition, and President Ruto and his allies will be watching keenly his next move. He is a marked man.
