Kalonzo: No handshake or nusu-mkate with Ruto ahead of 2027 poll

Kalonzo Musyoka, the leader of the Wiper Patriotic Front, has firmly rejected any political collaboration with President William Ruto, asserting that the opposition will only engage with the President during the 2027 General Election. In a statement on his X account on Monday, August 10, 2026, Kalonzo emphasized that there would be "no handshake" or "nusu-mkate" with Ruto, indicating a robust opposition stance prior to the polls.

The announcement marked the commencement of a 365-day countdown, urging Kenyans to evaluate the performance of the Kenya Kwanza administration and determine necessary changes at the ballot. Kalonzo criticized the Ruto administration for failing to deliver on its promises, highlighting issues such as the cost of living, healthcare, education, and youth unemployment as key concerns.

He specifically targeted the Bottom-Up economic model, asserting that it had not improved the lives of ordinary Kenyans and criticized the government for frequently altering its economic messaging, arguing that rebranding programs cannot rectify broken promises. Kalonzo's assertion of opposition unity ahead of the 2027 election, where he predicted a potential victory margin of over 70% if leaders remained united, echoes his earlier optimism during a radio interview.

He urged opposition leaders to set aside personal ambitions and unite for a common goal, noting that such unity would enable the opposition to surpass the 50% plus one threshold required to win. As opposition figures like Rigathi Gachagua, Fred Matiang'i, and Edwin Sifuna bolster their political bases, Ruto has been working to strengthen his political base, holding a meeting in Naivasha with leaders of the coalition government to review his administration's performance and strategize for the upcoming election.