Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka has dismissed claims that former President Uhuru Kenyatta is orchestrating opposition plans to challenge President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election.
Speaking during a service at the ACK Cathedral in Embu, Kalonzo said the opposition was charting its own political course and urged Kenyans not to portray Uhuru as the force directing efforts against the President.
“Do not paint a picture that Uhuru is organising us to face Ruto. We are organising ourselves to face Ruto, and nobody will do it for us,” Kalonzo said.
His remarks come amid growing speculation over Uhuru’s role in the opposition, following reports that the retired President is expected to chair an Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Council meeting on Monday.
Kalonzo rejected suggestions that the meeting was intended to plan a campaign against President Ruto. Instead, he said its purpose was to strengthen the coalition and discuss its future.
“The meeting Uhuru chairs on Monday is just about moving Azimio forward and not arranging how to tackle Ruto,” he said.
The Wiper leader stressed that Uhuru’s responsibilities stem from his position as chair of the Azimio Council rather than as the architect of the opposition’s political strategy.
“Uhuru is a retired President, but he is also the council chair of Azimio la Umoja. I am the party leader of Azimio,” Kalonzo said.
He added that there was no reason for the President or his allies to interpret Uhuru’s involvement as an attempt to undermine the government.
“Do not make Ruto panic that Uhuru is plotting against him. He is just there to make sure Azimio as a political organisation moves to the next level and brings everybody on board.”
Recent media reports have linked Uhuru’s role in the upcoming council meeting to wider efforts to reorganise the opposition ahead of the next general election. Kalonzo, however, maintained that opposition leaders were leading those discussions themselves.
“Uhuru is not organising us. We are doing it ourselves,” he said.
The meeting comes as political activity gathers pace well ahead of the 2027 election, with opposition figures working to strengthen alliances and define a common strategy.
Kalonzo has repeatedly ruled out working with President Ruto and has continued to call for greater unity among opposition parties, arguing that like-minded leaders must present voters with a credible alternative.
Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition was formed before the 2022 General Election to back Raila Odinga’s presidential bid. The coalition brought together parties including the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), Wiper Democratic Movement, Jubilee Party and several smaller political parties.
Raila Odinga was defeated in the 2022 presidential election by William Ruto, whose Kenya Kwanza Alliance formed the current government. Since then, Azimio has sought to redefine its role as Kenya’s main opposition while preparing for the next electoral contest.
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