Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has clarified his recent reference to President William Ruto as his “brother”, saying the description should not be interpreted as support for the President or his administration.
Kalonzo said bloggers had twisted remarks he made in church, insisting that his use of the term was based on the Christian understanding of Kenyans as brothers and not a political endorsement of Ruto.
“Bloggers are trying to put their words into our mouths,” Kalonzo said.
He said he did not harbour hatred towards anyone and that Ruto remained a Kenyan brother despite what he described as the President’s “many, many mistakes”.
“So in a church setup, when I refer to you as a brother, please don't think I'm complicit. Regardless of your many, many mistakes, you still remain a Kenyan brother,” he said.
Kalonzo, however, drew a clear distinction between maintaining cordial relations and political cooperation, saying he would oppose Ruto firmly.
“But we will deal with you very firmly,” he said.
He also dismissed suggestions that he would work with Ruto if the President defeated the opposition in the 2027 General Election.
“Ati akitushinda tutashirikiana na yeye. Let it be clear, loud and clear, Bwana Ruto, tutakushinda,” Kalonzo said in a press briefing after visiting activist Collins Odhiambo at Life Care Hospital.
He was accompanied by several opposition leaders, including DAP-K's Eugene Wamalwa.
He added that any political contest would ultimately be decided by Kenyans.
“And it's not us, ni Wakenya. Hakuna mambo ya kushirikiana hapa,” he said.
Kalonzo cited his past political decisions to reinforce his position on political alliances and power-sharing arrangements.
He recalled that he did not participate in the 2018 handshake between former President Uhuru Kenyatta and the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, despite having been Odinga’s running mate in the 2017 presidential election.
“When my late brother Raila had a handshake with Uhuru, I was not part of it, and yet I was Raila's running mate,” he said.
He also said he rejected the broad-based government arrangement that brought some opposition figures into Ruto’s administration.
“When now this thing called broad-based government, I said no,” Kalonzo said, adding that he had spoken firmly to Odinga about the arrangement.
He said his position was influenced by what he described as the suffering of young Kenyans and their parents.
Kalonzo said political leaders should stand with Gen Z protesters and their families, whom he accused the government of failing.
He described the administration as “unlawful” and claimed, in his political view, that it had effectively been impeached on June 25, 2025 during the Gen Z protests.
The Wiper leader’s remarks come amid renewed political realignments ahead of the 2027 General Election, with opposition leaders debating possible alliances and strategies for challenging Ruto.
