Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has made a significant announcement, signaling a change in the opposition’s perspective on William Ruto legitimacy as Kenya’s fifth President. Kalonzo conveyed this shift in stance during a funeral in Voi on September 2. Many Kenyans are however wondering whether this is the stand of Azimio leader Raila Odinga, who is expected to be the one making such a major pronouncement.
Kalonzo expressed that the Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya coalition, which represents a significant part of the opposition, has revised its position on Ruto’s legitimacy due to his commitment to ongoing bipartisan discussions with opposition leaders.
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Kalonzo commended President Ruto for his maturity and statesmanship in supporting national dialogue, even in the face of resistance from his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua. This unexpected endorsement from Kalonzo signals a potential detente between the ruling party and the opposition and is an indication that the Maandamano Demos are not likely to resume any time soon.
2027 Elections Plans of Ruto and Kalonzo
Kalonzo also disclosed that the opposition would not contest the presidency until the 2027 elections, indicating their willingness to give President Ruto’s administration an opportunity to govern effectively. The Wiper Leader is expected to contest in the next elections, after having supported Raila in the previous three elections. Raila has not announced any plans for 2027.
“We congratulate the president for putting his foot down and supporting the continuation of the talks,” Kalonzo declared. “Because of his (Ruto’s) stand, we recognize him, and we will wait for the next time because who knows? God’s plans may be with us next,” he added, suggesting that future collaboration between the opposition and the ruling party could be on the horizon.
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Kalonzo, who co-chairs the National Dialogue Committee alongside Kimani Ichung’wah from Kenya Kwanza, stressed that nothing would hinder the ongoing talks, which have received approval from both the National Assembly and the Senate. He also took the opportunity to criticize Deputy President Gachagua, accusing him of attempting to sabotage the peace initiative. DP Gachagua in a speech said that the talks are heading nowhere and nothing of benefit will come out of the discussions.
Bipartisan Talk Progress
The National Dialogue Committee was established with the goal of resolving the political crisis that led Azimio leader Raila Odinga to call for street demonstrations to protest perceived government shortcomings.
The 10-member committee recently reached an agreement on five key issues for negotiation, including the cost of living, the implementation of the two-thirds gender rule, restructuring and reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), and the establishment of the offices of the Leader of the Official Opposition and Prime Cabinet Secretary, among other matters.
Earlier this year, Azimio had rejected the outcome of the previous year’s presidential election, alleging that their candidate, Raila Odinga, had been unfairly defeated. Raila and his supporters claimed to possess evidence indicating that he had actually won the election by a margin of over two million votes.
This is what led to the disastrous Maandamano that saw several Kenyans die and property destroyed. It was after the Demos that it was reported that former Nigeria President Obasanjo had met both Ruto and Raila and commenced mediation talks. It was these talks that led to the current bipartisan talks between the two coalitions. The allegations that Raila defeated Ruto have since subsided, possibly in light of the ongoing national dialogue and changing dynamics in Kenyan politics.
Article by Stephen Kamau
