Kalonzo attends Ruto's State of the Nation address

He was the only opposition principal attending the joint Parliament address.

In Summary
  • The Wiper leader had during an interview with HabariStar said he had no problem with the President
  • Kalonzo had also in September attended a dinner at the State House, for the first time since Ruto took over from retired President Uhuru Kenyatta. 
Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka, with Interior CS Kithure Kindiki at Parliamnet on November 9, 2023
Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka, with Interior CS Kithure Kindiki at Parliamnet on November 9, 2023
Image: SCREENGRAB

Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka on Thursday attended President William Ruto's State of Nation address at Parliament. 

He was the only opposition principal attending the joint Parliament address. 

Kalonzo is the chairperson of the National Dialogue Committee and has been at the forefront of the outcome. 

The Wiper leader had during an interview with HabariStar said he had no problem with the President, but only disagreed with the leadership decision Ruto had made.

Kalonzo, however, declared that he remains loyal to the position and will continue to defend the coalition until their demands are met. 

"I have no problem with Ruto, every time we meet he says 'ndugu yangu Kalonzo', I have no problem with anyone," he said. 

"I have a problem with people who do anything to be in power. Sio mambo ya kibinafsi ni msimamo na ikiwa msimamo wa pamoja ikiwa ni kundi la Azimio mimi nitakuwa pale kuhakikisha tuko pamoja ili tulinde hali ya demokrasia ya nchi yetu."

The Wiper leader had also in September attended a dinner at the State House, for the first time since Ruto took over from retired President Uhuru Kenyatta. 

In his capacity as the chair of the National dialogue committee, Kalonzo said he will not allow Azimio leader Raila Odinga to call for anti-government protests again.

He said Kenyans should stop depending on the former Prime Minister to voice their concerns.

"Mumetuambia Baba asinyamaze, na hatutanyamaza. Pia tusitegemee Raila pekee yake tuseme wakenya tusilale. Tupige kelele. Msiwe mnangojea sisi tu. I will not allow Raila arudi kwa maandamano. Let the country do it. Si Raila kila wakati na Kalonzo wanapigwa teargas," the Wiper leader said.

This loosely translates to, "You have told us that Baba (Raila) should not be quiet and we will not be quiet. But let us not depend on Raila alone and say Kenyans must rise and speak. You should not only wait for us to act. I will not allow Raila to return to the demonstrations. Let the country do it, not Raila and Kalonzo getting teargassed every other time."

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