According to Wiper, Kalonzo’s position remains unchanged, and he will only face Ruto at the ballot in the August 10, 2027, election.
“The Wiper Patriotic Front, under the steadfast leadership of H.E. Dr Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka, issues this clarification to put to rest any mischievous speculation regarding its position on President William Ruto,” the party stated.
“Let it be stated without ambiguity; the Wiper Patriotic Front has no dealings, no understanding, and no intention of working with Ruto. Our path is independent, principled and irreversible. We shall only meet with Mr Ruto at the ballot on August 10 2027,” it added.
Wiper’s statement comes days after the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader, Rigathi Gachagua, accused one of the opposition’s principals of having secret dealings with the president.
According to Gachagua, one of the principals in the opposition is threatening to leave the coalition if he is not selected as the sole presidential candidate to face Ruto on the ballot.
Speaking during his tour of the United States on Sunday, September 27, Gachagua said that the opposition principal will eventually leave and join Ruto after the announcement of the presidential candidate.
“One single presidential candidate will be announced. One person will go away; that one person will go away on his own,” Gachagua said while speaking to the Kenyan community in Texas.
Following his claims, the public has engaged in discussions, seemingly pointing fingers at Kalonzo as the alleged principal threatening to leave.
However, the Wiper leader has since dismissed the claims, maintaining its commitment to the wider opposition push to make Ruto a one-term president.
Kalonzo has long been linked to a deal with Ruto over time, but the Wiper leader has maintained that he remains independent and committed to sending the president home.
The statement also comes as the wider opposition positions itself to announce a single presidential candidate, with different principals consolidating their fan bases and positioning themselves as the most suitable candidate.
Among those seeking the opposition single ticket are Kalonzo, Gachagua, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, Justin Muturi, Martha Karua, Fred Matiang’i, as well as Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro.