The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka has ruled out any political handshake or power-sharing deal with President William Ruto, declaring that his next political contest with the Head of State will be at the ballot box in the 2027 General Election.
With Kenya entering a critical phase of the 2027 election cycle, Kalonzo urged his supporters to use the remaining year to mobilise and build a nationwide political campaign aimed at challenging the Ruto administration.
Addressing his supporters, Kalonzo said the opposition would not negotiate a power-sharing arrangement with the President.
“To William Ruto, we say this plainly: the only national conversation Kenyans shall have with you is at the ballot on August 10, 2027. There will be no handshake. No nusu-mkate. Count the days.”
He called on his supporters to spend the next 365 days strengthening the party’s political machinery from the national level down to individual wards.
“For the next 365 days, wazalendo wenzangu, we mobilise. We organise. We build, county by county, ward by ward, until this movement becomes unstoppable.”
The Wiper leader accused the government of failing to deliver on its promises, pointing to the high cost of living, unemployment among young people, healthcare and education as some of the country’s major challenges.
He was particularly critical of the government’s healthcare reforms, including the Social Health Authority (SHA) and Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), arguing that the changes had increased the financial burden on Kenyans without guaranteeing reliable access to medical services.
Kalonzo also criticised the government’s economic programmes, arguing that repeated changes in their branding had done little to improve the lives of ordinary citizens.
“Hustler Nation became Bottom-Up. Bottom-Up became the Singapore Dream. Now we are asked to believe in a Vision 2060, as though changing the label might change what is served at the table.”
He further accused the administration of weakening key constitutional institutions, including Parliament, the police, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).
‘People’s Budget’ unveiled
As he positioned himself for the 2027 contest, Kalonzo unveiled a 13-point policy programme dubbed the People’s Budget, which he said would provide the foundation for his alternative government.
The agenda focuses on universal healthcare, free and quality education, a living wage and decent employment, food security, tax justice and stronger devolution.
It also includes proposals targeting youth and women empowerment, infrastructure and housing, social protection, climate justice, fighting corruption and promoting national unity and reconciliation.
“This is the covenant we offer the people of Kenya,” Kalonzo said.
He said the programme was designed to address the concerns of ordinary Kenyans while offering an alternative to the policies of the current administration.
Call for credible 2027 election
Kalonzo also challenged the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to guarantee a free, fair and credible election in 2027.
He called on IEBC Chairman Erastus Ethekon and the commission to uphold their independence and ensure transparency and accountability throughout the electoral process.
The Wiper leader condemned political violence and urged political actors to settle their differences through the ballot.
He also demanded greater transparency in campaign financing, arguing that voters should be able to establish who is funding political campaigns.
“There will be no manufactured crisis, no invented excuse, no threat spoken or merely implied to delay or deny this election its rightful date,” he said.
Kalonzo said his United Alternative Government in Waiting would spend the next year expanding its political network and preparing for the 2027 contest.
He ended his address with a call for supporters to rally behind his campaign to unseat President Ruto at the ballot.
“Three hundred and sixty-five days from today, wazalendo wenzangu, we shall shoot Ruto at the ballot. Together, we shall Komboa Kenya,” he said.
