Wiper leaders threaten independent Kalonzo bid if denied opposition ticket

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka speaks during a past political event. (Photo: X/Kalonzo Musyoka)

Wiper Coast leaders have warned that the party could abandon opposition unity talks and field Kalonzo Musyoka independently in the 2027 presidential election if he is denied the coalition’s ticket, exposing growing tensions over the choice of a joint candidate.

The leaders, led by Wiper Coast chair Dr John Chamia, said the party would not support another candidate at Kalonzo’s expense, arguing that his contribution to opposition politics should be recognised in the ongoing negotiations.

Their position follows an incident in which Kalonzo was heckled during the launch of the Linda Mwananchi Party headquarters and secretariat in Nairobi, raising concerns about relations between parties seeking to challenge President William Ruto in 2027.

Dr Chamia said the incident should not be blamed on Linda Mwananchi leader Edwin Sifuna, alleging that some people at the gathering had deliberately provoked hostility between supporters of the two political camps.

He said those responsible appeared intent on creating divisions between Wiper and Linda Mwananchi at a time when opposition parties were working towards a common presidential candidate.

Dr Chamia called on opposition leaders to protect their working relationships and ensure their supporters did not intimidate or humiliate leaders from allied parties.

He said discussions to identify a joint presidential candidate were expected to take place within the next month.

The Wiper chair also dismissed suggestions that Kalonzo could abandon the opposition to become President Ruto’s running mate, insisting that such an arrangement was not under consideration.

Sheikh Omar Twaha said the treatment of Kalonzo risked alienating Wiper supporters and undermining efforts to unite the opposition.

He argued that Kalonzo had remained in the opposition despite previous efforts, including those attributed to the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, to persuade him to work with the government.

Sheikh Twaha said Wiper could not be expected to remain in a coalition if its leader was repeatedly overlooked or treated as an insignificant partner.

He also challenged Sifuna to address the conduct of his supporters, saying respect among opposition leaders was necessary if they hoped to maintain a working alliance.

Sheikh Twaha maintained that Kalonzo was prepared to contest the presidency independently rather than withdraw from the race if another candidate was chosen as the coalition’s flagbearer.

Patricia Nzioka, a woman representative aspirant, also supported Kalonzo’s bid, citing his political beliefs and leadership approach. She called on Sifuna to discourage hostility towards other opposition figures.

The warning presents a challenge to the opposition’s efforts to agree on a single candidate ahead of the 2027 General Election, with Wiper now signalling that unity may depend on Kalonzo securing the presidential nomination.