Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has dismissed suggestions that he could work with President William Ruto ahead of the 2027 General Election, vowing to remain in the opposition and lead efforts to remove the President from power.
Kalonzo said the election date is already provided for in the Constitution and warned opposition supporters that preparations for the contest must intensify as the country enters the election year in August.
"Tomorrow is the 31st. We enter the election year in August. This election, the date for the same is clearly written in the Constitution," Kalonzo said.
"We have no time, and this is why Ruto has panicked together with his bloggers," he said.
Kalonzo's remarks come amid growing political activity within the opposition as parties and leaders seek to agree on a single presidential candidate to challenge Ruto.
The Wiper leader has increasingly emerged as one of the leading contenders for the opposition ticket, with recent political commentary portraying him as a strong possibility to head a united opposition coalition.
Kalonzo has also maintained that he intends to contest the presidency, while discussions continue among opposition leaders over how to avoid splitting the anti-government vote in the 2027 election.
His renewed push comes against the backdrop of attempts by Kenya Kwanza leaders to woo him into working with President Ruto ahead of the election. Recent appeals from government-aligned leaders have urged Kalonzo to abandon the opposition and join Ruto, proposals he has so far resisted.
Kalonzo appeared to dismiss such overtures, insisting that his priority remained building a political force capable of defeating the incumbent.
"If I'll be the last man to drive Ruto out, I will," he said.
The former Vice President also criticised what he described as attacks from Ruto's supporters and bloggers, accusing them of being unsettled by the opposition's preparations for the polls.
Kalonzo also dismissed claims that he had recently held talks with President William Ruto, saying he had been out of the country and was only returning from Tanzania.
"I was in Zanzibar, just for full disclosure. After having a breakfast meeting with editors, I took off from Zanzibar. Yesterday I took a boat, a nice boat, from Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam. I was leaving Dar es Salaam this morning at five," he said.
He questioned how he could have held a meeting with Ruto while he was outside the country, suggesting the reports were part of what he described as efforts by the President's camp to create confusion within the opposition.
Kalonzo said his focus remained on preparing for the 2027 election and building an opposition campaign capable of defeating Ruto at the ballot.
"I want to assure all our supporters, all the citizens of this country. If I'll be the last man to drive Ruto out, I will," he said.
His comments add to the growing political jockeying among opposition leaders seeking to consolidate support before the 2027 polls.
The opposition has been grappling with the question of who should carry the joint presidential ticket, with Kalonzo, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and other leaders featuring prominently in discussions over a possible united front.
Recent reports have also identified Kalonzo as one of the figures increasingly viewed as a strong contender for the opposition presidency.
Kalonzo's continued positioning comes as the IEBC begins preparations for the election, including discussions on electoral reforms, campaign financing and other logistical requirements.
