By Collins Wanzallah
Azimio co-principal Kalonzo Musyoka has announced that the race for the presidency in 2027 will be between himself and President William Ruto. Musyoka, who has identified himself as the opposition leader with the backing of other opposition figures, made the announcement while attending a church service in Mombasa on Sunday.
He joined worshippers at Kenya’s historic and oldest Catholic church, the Holy Ghost Cathedral. “I am the official leader of the opposition in Kenya, and the 2027 Presidential race will be between me and the incumbent President William Ruto,” Musyoka asserted.
Musyoka added that the people of Kenya have endorsed “Okoa Katiba – Okoa Kenya,” which translates to “Save the Constitution – Save Kenya.” “We are with the people, as simple as that,” he remarked.
The Wiper leader, who has been visiting Mombasa County since Friday, was accompanied by DAP-K Party leader Eugene Wamalwa, Jubilee Party Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni, former Kiambu County Governor Ferdinand Waititu, Kitui County Senator Enoch Wambua, Machakos County Women Representative Joyce Kamene, and Makueni MP Susan Kiama, among others. Musyoka has consistently maintained that he is firmly in the opposition and, as its leader, would hold the Kenya Kwanza regime accountable at every opportunity.
Musyoka, who is also the former Vice-President, has indicated on numerous occasions during his tour across the country that his team, which opposes the government, will grow as the 2027 elections approach. He added that his side will form the next government.
During the Akamba Cultural Festival held in Mombasa on Saturday, former Bahati MP Kimani Ngunjiri made a surprise appearance, fuelling rumours that he might soon join the ‘People’s Team’ led by Musyoka.
The former Vice-President, who has had a busy schedule in Mombasa, also joined friends and family of Mombasa Cement owner Hasmukh ‘Hassu’ Patel at the Shree Cutchi Leva Patel Samaj in Nyali. Speaking to mourners, Musyoka stated that Hassu, who was also a philanthropist, had assisted many people, especially the poor, in the country. “He inspired and empowered countless vulnerable members of our society, not because he wanted their votes, but because he had a servant’s heart,” said Musyoka.
He added that while Hassu spent millions of his hard-earned money each month helping the needy and transforming Mombasa, he did not show off. “Unlike today’s leaders, who attend fundraising events with stolen public money, he used his own resources to help the poor,” Musyoka said.
Patel was later cremated in a ceremony attended by Blue Economy Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho, who represented President William Ruto. President Ruto, after concluding his four-day tour of the Nyanza region, attended a church service in Bungoma County and inspected the ongoing construction of Kanduyi Stadium.
