Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua have declared an all-out political onslaught aimed at ending President William Ruto’s term in 2027.
In a series of rallies across Makueni county on Friday, the two leaders—once political adversaries, united to launch what they called the beginning of a nationwide campaign to send the Kenya Kwanza administration packing.
The opposition duo accused the Ruto administration of "destroying the country’s economy by raiding the pockets of Kenyans", especially the "employed who are subjected to unnecessary tax deductions".
“We have come here with Kalonzo to start the journey of making Ruto a one-term President; we are here to declare that we are together with Kalonzo in this journey,” Gachagua said during a rally in Malili, Makueni county, on Friday.
“We are committed to pursuing the change we believe is necessary, an unstoppable movement towards a new regime that truly serves the interests of our people.”
The leaders announced they would front a single presidential candidate in 2027 to take on Ruto, promising a well-oiled campaign machine with trained agents at every polling station to counter alleged past election rigging.
“Even if they stuff the IEBC with their puppets, we will beat them at every polling station. Our agents will relay real-time results. No tricks. No games,” Kalonzo said defiantly.
“Time is up for this administration.”
The former Vice President promised to reverse some of Ruto's policies he said have impoverished Kenyans.
“Our Executive Order No 1 will be to scrap the controversial housing levy,” he said.
The leaders spoke on day one of their planned public engagements.
They were accompanied by, among others, former CS Mithika Linturi, Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka, his Kiambu counterpart Karungo Thang’wa, Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo, Jubilee chairman Saitoti Njoroge and Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr.
The duo’s campaign caravan swept through Malili, Sultan Hamud, Emali, Makindu, Kibwezi and Machinery on Friday.
On Saturday, they are expected to take their message to Voi, Maungu, Mazeras, Mariakani and Kisauni.
The whistle stop tour, they noted, is just the starting point of a bruising political showdown that will herald administration change in 2027.
Senator Maanzo urged young Kenyans to register for ID cards, terming it the first step in toppling the Ruto regime through the ballot.
Drawing the historical links between Mt Kenya and Ukambani, Gachagua said it is time for the two regions to work together to restore the dignity of the Kamba community.
“Kambas and Mt Kenya are cousins and there is no problem if we look for leadership together. Kalonzo and this region [Ukambani] have been misused in the past, in 2027 we will restore the dignity and respect of the Kamba people,” Gachagua said.
The former Mathira MP challenged Ukambani to fully back Kalonzo with Wiper elected MPs, MCAs and governors, warning that national support will only come if his home base stands firm.
“This leader will be strong when his backyard is firmly behind him. Give Kalonzo MPs and governors in his party,” he said.
Kalonzo declared June 25 as a symbolic “Liberation Day” to honour Gen Z youth who stood up to the administration’s controversial tax proposals.
“I want to declare that June 25 is the liberation day to commemorate the sacrifice of our Gen Zs who wanted to liberate the country,” he said.
Kalonzo and Gachagua have been presidential running mates. Gachagua's tenure as DP was cut short last October, while Kalonzo's side never won the two elections he paired with Raila.
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