Kenya, July 29 -- President William Ruto has set his sights on Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka as his potential running mate for the 2027 Kenya General Election, a strategic move aimed at bolstering his re-election bid amid waning support in key regions.
According to sources within Ruto's Kenya Kwanza Alliance, the president's inner circle is actively wooing Musyoka, a seasoned politician and former vice president, to join the coalition, offering him the deputy president slot to counter opposition firepower and secure votes in the Ukambani region.
The "Ruto-Kalonzo running mate 2027" plan has sparked heated debate, with Musyoka publicly rejecting the overtures, calling Ruto's administration "rogue and criminal", as the political landscape heats up ahead of the polls.
Ruto's strategy hinges on leveraging Musyoka's influence in the Kamba community, which boasts over 1.4 million voters in Ukambani, a critical voting bloc. In 2022, Ruto secured 7.1 million votes (50.49%) to defeat Raila Odinga, largely due to 2.9 million votes from the Mount Kenya region.
However, growing hostility in Mount Kenya, exacerbated by the 2024 impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, has forced Ruto to rethink his coalition.
Insiders reveal that retaining current Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, a Mount Kenya native, could be a liability if the region remains opposed. "It's a tragedy for Ruto to maintain Kindiki if Mount Kenya is lost," a source told TUKO.co.ke, highlighting the push to court Musyoka to neutralise opposition strength.
Musyoka, a veteran of Kenyan politics, served as vice president from 2008 to 2013 and was Odinga's running mate in the 2013 and 2017 elections.
His Wiper Party commands significant loyalty, with Kitui Senator Enock Wambua asserting that Musyoka is the only leader capable of unseating Ruto in 2027 due to his nationwide support.
However, Musyoka has dismissed Ruto's advances, stating on January 22, 2025, that he will "never join this rogue regime" and is instead preparing his own presidential bid.
At a Wiper press conference, he accused Ruto of early campaigning under the guise of development tours, citing failures in healthcare, education, and economic management, including the controversial housing levy.
The political chess game has intensified, with Ruto also exploring alliances with Odinga's Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), potentially eyeing Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga or Western Kenya leaders like Musalia Mudavadi or Moses Wetang'ula as running mate options.
Political analyst Herman Manyora suggested Ruto might surprise voters by selecting a Muslim candidate to tap into their five million-strong voting bloc.
Meanwhile, Musyoka is rallying opposition forces, including allies like Martha Karua and Eugene Wamalwa, to form a coalition to challenge Ruto. His recent trip to Baltimore, Maryland, for "strategic planning" signals early campaign efforts, mirroring moves by Gachagua and Fred Matiang'i, who are also engaging the Kenyan diaspora.
Social media is abuzz with reactions to the Ruto-Kalonzo talks. One user posted, "Ruto wants Kalonzo as running mate, but Kalonzo's got his eyes on State House!" Another questioned, "Will Kalonzo betray the opposition for Ruto's offer?"
The speculation is fueled by a fake January 2025 Infotrak poll claiming Matiang'i leads Musyoka and Ruto in the 2027 race, which Africa Check debunked, highlighting the role of misinformation in Kenya's polarised politics.
Musyoka's appointment of Charles Lemein as Wiper's special programs coordinator shows his focus on mobilizing youth and special interest groups for 2027.
Ruto's re-election strategy emphasizes economic achievements, with inflation dropping from 9.6% in 2022 to 3.8% in June 2025 and foreign exchange reserves hitting $10.8 billion.
His TaifaCare health initiative has enrolled 23.7 million Kenyans, and the Boma Yangu housing portal has 720,000 registrants. Yet, opposition leaders argue these gains are overshadowed by governance issues, with Musyoka vowing to scrap the housing levy if elected.
The "Ruto-Kalonzo running mate 2027" narrative remains contentious, as Musyoka's rejection and focus on a presidential bid signal a fierce contest ahead. As Kenya braces for a high-stakes election, the opposition's ability to unite and convert public discontent into votes will determine Ruto's fate.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Bana Kenya.