Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi/FILE
Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi has ignited political debate after suggesting Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka could be on his way to joining the broad-based government (BBG) ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking in Kitui South on Friday during the launch of the Rural Electrification Programme, Wandayi praised Kalonzo’s leadership and said the former Vice President’s involvement in government would be “invaluable.”
“I am confident that going forward, Dr Kalonzo Musyoka will soon join the Rt Hon Prime Minister Eng Raila Amolo Odinga and President William Ruto in steering the country forward,” Wandayi said.
“Having worked with Dr Musyoka in NADCO, I’m more than persuaded that his contribution to the government would be crucial.”
Wandayi also defended the intergenerational dialogue initiative proposed by Raila Odinga, describing it as the key to resolving tensions between Gen Z and older generations.
“Those opposed to the talks are enemies of the country, saboteurs with ill intentions,” he added.
However, Kalonzo swiftly dismissed the remarks, making it clear that Wiper has no intentions of joining the government or cutting any deal with President Ruto.
Speaking on Friday, Kalonzo flatly denied any plans of working with UDA, saying, “No UDA-Wiper merger,” and reaffirmed the continuation of the opposition’s grassroots movement dubbed 'wantam'.
“We don’t want dialogue with Ruto. Dialogue ya nini? We want justice as enshrined in the constitution,” Kalonzo declared.
He also pushed back against the intergenerational dialogue calls by Raila Odinga, arguing that the demands of young Kenyans go beyond dialogue sessions.
“The young people want jobs, university education under proper funding, and their rights protected. We just want no dialogue with Ruto—hatutaki,” Kalonzo said.
The contrasting remarks reaffirmed speculation that Ruto is keen on wooing Kalonzo on his side amid alleged cracks in the opposition ranks with Kalonzo's allie Rigathi Gachagua away in the US, where insiders say he will be joined by former Interior CS Fred Matiang'i to woo the moneyed diaspora.
