President William Ruto has invoked his longstanding political relationship with Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, urging him to return the favour by supporting his re-election bid in the 2027 General Election.
Speaking to residents of Tseikuru, Kitui County, on Monday, October 26, 2026, during his four-day tour of Ukambani, Ruto recalled how he campaigned for Kalonzo during the 1992 General Election, when the Wiper leader successfully contested the Mwingi North parliamentary seat on a Kenya African National Union (KANU) ticket.
The President used the historical connection to make a case for political cooperation, arguing that the support he extended to Kalonzo more than three decades ago should now count as he seeks a second term in office.
Ruto asked residents to relay a message to Kalonzo, whom he described as a friend, neighbour and younger brother, urging him to reciprocate the political goodwill by backing his presidential ambitions.
“Sikizeni, nataka niwatume. Sawa? Nataka niwatume. Si nyinyi ni majirani ya rafiki yangu ndugu yangu Kalonzo. Si ni majirani wake. Mwambieni ndugu yake William Ruto alikuwa area amewatuma salamu,” Ruto told the residents.
He then reminded the crowd of his role in Kalonzo’s early political career, saying he had travelled to Mwingi to campaign for him during the 1992 elections, which saw the Wiper leader win his first parliamentary seat.
“Na mmkumbushe, mwambie 1992 mimi nilikuja hapa Mwingi kufanya kampeni ya Kalonzo. Nilikuja nikafanya kampeni ya Kalonzo hapa kwa chama ya KANU akashinda, si ndio? Sasa mwambie jameni, hata mimi anikumbuke next year. Arudishe mkono,” he said.
Kalonzo was elected Mwingi North MP in 1992 and later rose to become one of Kenya’s most prominent political figures, serving as Vice President under President Mwai Kibaki between 2008 and 2013.
Ruto’s appeal appeared designed to turn their past political association into an argument for cooperation ahead of the 2027 polls, despite Kalonzo’s current position in the opposition, where he has remained a key figure in efforts to challenge the Kenya Kwanza administration.
The President also cited Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, claiming that the latter had supported Kalonzo during an earlier presidential contest in 2007, and questioned why the Wiper leader should not extend similar support to them.
“Nilimsikia juzi akisema, hata yule deputy wangu anaitwa Kithure Kindiki pia alimsaidia, siku ingine alikuwa anatafuta Rais, akawa kwa timu yake ya kumsaidia 2007. Sasa mimi nataka mmuulize wew jirani, si urudishe mkono ya William Ruto, na urudishe mkono ya Kithure Kindiki, ama namna gani? Kwani iko makosa?” he posed.
The remarks formed part of Ruto’s broader efforts to expand his political support in Ukambani, a region where Kalonzo commands significant influence and has remained a central figure in opposition politics.
By recalling their shared political history, Ruto sought to frame his appeal not merely as a request for an alliance but as a call for reciprocity, arguing that past political support should provide a basis for renewed cooperation as the country approaches the 2027 General Election.
Whether Kalonzo will heed the appeal remains a key political question as both leaders position themselves for the next electoral contest.
