Kalonzo: I Would Rather Retire Than Betray Opposition Unity

Nyeri, Kenya - Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has vowed to back the opposition candidate chosen to contest against President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election, stating that he would rather retire from politics than undermine the coalition. Musyoka expressed his readiness to set aside his own presidential aspirations and support a joint opposition candidate, as part of efforts to remove Ruto from power.

Addressing a burial in Nyeri County, Musyoka rejected claims that opposition leaders would fail to agree on a flag bearer, asserting that he was prepared to back whoever was selected, and would rather retire from politics than become a divisive traitor to his colleagues. The Wiper leader emphasized that his political ambitions would not supersede what he described as the national interest, noting that he had previously sacrificed his ambitions for the good of the nation, and that no one, including from his own party, should claim to speak on his behalf.

Musyoka's stance was echoed by other opposition figures, including Rigathi Gachagua, Edwin Sifuna and former Chief Justice David Maraga, all of whom pledged to support a joint opposition candidate. Gachagua accused the government of trying to exploit divisions within the opposition, while Sifuna and Maraga urged the leaders to reconcile their differences in the lead-up to the 2027 elections.

This renewed unity pledge comes as opposition leaders face mounting pressure to come together and select a single presidential candidate to challenge Ruto.