'The time is now!' Defiant Kalonzo still confident in 2027 race despite heckling

A day after being heckled during Friday's Linda Mwananchi relaunch, Wiper Patriotic Front (WPF) leader Kalonzo Musyoka says he remains focused on his ultimate goal of becoming president.

Speaking in Machakos during a house-opening ceremony for Senator Agnes Kavindu, Kalonzo said he was resolute in his presidential ambitions.

He challenged leaders allied to his candidature to rally behind him, saying they have failed to demonstrate their support at a critical time as the opposition seeks to unite ahead of next year's General Election.

"I want to tell you, the people of Machakos and Ukambani, that the time is now. I feel it in my heart. I never started this journey on empty rhetoric. I want to address doubting Thomases: the time is now,” he said.

Kalonzo also turned his attention to leaders allied to him, accusing them of failing to demonstrate sufficient support during the Linda Mwananchi event. He called for greater unity within his political camp.

"Yesterday there was a big show by my brother Riggy G when we went for the Linda Mwananchi event. I was given an invitation, same to DCP, lakini tulipoenda pale niliangalia watu wa Wiper ni wangapi... eeh... aiii, wacha Riggy G akuje na team, wote branded properly... and remember what Riggy G said, 'this is the team',” he said.

Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo claimed Kalonzo was heckled by goons deployed to disrupt the meeting, accusing the government of being behind the incident.

"I'm sure the reason for infiltration was to make an effort to see that there is disharmony within the United Alternative Government team, of which Sifuna is one of them,” Maanzo stated.

The Wiper leader also criticised sections of the clergy, accusing some religious leaders of taking political sides instead of speaking out against injustice and poor governance.

He challenged the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to guarantee free, fair and credible elections.

"This will not be the type of a stolen election. We shall be there. We'll have two agents per every polling station,” noted Kalonzo.

In the last four elections, including the repeat presidential election of 2017, Kalonzo supported the late Raila Odinga's presidential candidature.