Kalonzo hits back at Ruto, vows opposition will champion good governance

Wiper Patriotic Front party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has affirmed the opposition’s commitment to promote good governance, fight corruption and safeguard the sanctity of life.

His sentiments come in response to recent assertions by President William Ruto, who slammed the opposition for lacking a constructive agenda for the country.

According to Kalonzo, the United Opposition promises a new dawn for Kenya as it seeks to rectify the gaps in health, education, governance and constitutionalism.

“Wacha nimjibu Ruto. Ikawa unasema mimi ni mjinga. Huenda ikawa ni mambo ya kuua vijana wetu wa Gen Z…mimi siwezi kuwaua, kwa hivyo mimi ni mjinga kwa siwezi kuwaua? Kama ni kufilisisha nchi kwa ufisadi wa hali ya juu, mimi ni mjinga kweli. Siwezi kubinafsisha public property, kama Kenya Pipeline Cooperation uuzie marafiki zako, wacha niwe mjinga, na Kenya ipone,” he said.

Kalonzo was speaking in Machakos County in the company of a section of Wiper leaders, including Governor Wavinya Ndeti and Senator Agnes Kavindu, who drummed up support for the Wiper candidate Anthony Kisoi in the upcoming Mumbuni North Ward by-election.

“Nyinyi watu wa Machakos mlizaa nchi mpya ya South Sudan. Nyinyi ni wajinga kweli? Nani ambaye anajulikana dunia mzima as the most corrupt leader in the world? Kwa hivo watu wawache kuita wengine wajinga, ati hawana agenda. Agenda number moj; wizi! Corruption tutahakikisha there is no more kwa public funds,” said the Wiper chief.

The remarks come after President Ruto on Friday took on the opposition yet again on day three of his Ukambani tour, accusing leaders in the faction of deliberately stirring hatred and resistance towards his administration.

Ruto expressed confidence in trouncing his opponents in the 2027 general election, and faulted them for not offering alternative solutions to the policies they are opposed to, if indeed they speak for the people.

“Akili yao yote inaanza kwa ukabila inapitia kwa chuki na matusi, inaishia hapo kwa kiburi na kupingana. Ati sasa wale jamaa, wanapinga affordable housing, wanapinga hostels, wanapinga markets, wanapinga SHA,” said Ruto.

The lack of alternative solutions and the propagation of hatred towards a government that is already delivering on its promises, the President said, will be the grounds upon which he trounces them. He asked Kenyans to examine his track record in the five years he shall have served the nation.

“Ati mtu anasema, hana ajenda, hana plan, hana mpango yeyote hana maono, ati atakuja tu aseme wanatam, Kasongo, must go, ati alafu apigiwe kura. Kwani wanatupima sisi ni wajinga kiasi gani? Hawa jamaa si tutawaonyesha kivumbi? Asubuhi na mapema,” said Ruto.

The President and his deputy also expressed confidence about bringing Kalonzo to their fold, even as they maintained their push for the establishment of an infrastructure fund meant to pool resources for the country’s capital-intensive projects.

Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti also hit out at President Ruto over the disparaging remarks targeting opposition leaders during his tour of the Ukambani region, saying the insults directed at Kalonzo amount to an attack on the entire Kamba community.

Speaking on Friday during the traditional wedding ceremony of Pastor Ezekiel Odero and Pastor Sarah at Kikumini, Emali, Wavinya accused the President of showing open contempt for the region.

Wavinya argued that Kalonzo is the region's perceived kingpin and therefore he represents the people whenever he goes through what he says.

“Ruto ameonyesha Wakamba madharau sana. Anakuja hapa Ukambani kututukana sisi; ukitusi Kalonzo ni sisi umetusi. Ukiambia mtoto baba yako hana akili, inamaanisha wewe kama mtoto, mama yako na kila mtu katika ile familia hana akili,” she said.