By The Weekly Vision Political Desk
Ukambani leaders allied to President William Ruto are urging Wiper Democratic Movement–Kenya (WDM–K) leader Kalonzo Musyoka to join the government, stressing that his decision is crucial for unlocking development in the Ukambani region.
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On Thursday, 2nd December, Mwala MP Vincent Kawaya, Ruto’s point man in the region, led a delegation of legislators to deliver a letter to Kalonzo’s rural home in Katse, Mwingi North. During the visit, Kawaya said the former Vice President should prioritise the interests of his people above political considerations. “There comes a time when our people’s interests supersede personal interests. In the last elections, the Ukambani people had neither a presidential nor a deputy presidential candidate. Ruto competed against Raila, whom Kalonzo supported,” said Kawaya, who also serves as the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) National Organising Secretary.
He added that his mission is to ensure the region secures cooperation agreements that can transform people’s lives. “Kalonzo is my elder, and when he eventually exits the political scene, I would be glad to be his successor. When that time comes, it would be good to say that we joined hands and implemented several development projects together,” Kawaya said. “I serve as the development programmes coordinator in Ukambani, while Kalonzo once served as the country’s Vice President. With due respect, we ask him to abandon those fighting the government, yet they have already benefited from development projects in their regions, unlike us.”
Kalonzo is among those seeking to fly the United Opposition’s flag in the 2027 General Election. He has repeatedly declared that he will not join President Ruto’s broad-based government, formed after the Head of State struck a political truce with ODM leader Raila Odinga in the wake of last year’s Gen Z revolt that nearly destabilised his administration.
Instead, Kalonzo, together with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, former Justice Minister Martha Karua, and former Defence Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa, among others, are strategising to field a single presidential candidate in their push to make Ruto a “one-term” president.
Kawaya argued that Raila’s cooperation with Ruto has brought development projects to Nyanza, while Ukambani’s progress remains stifled, attributing this to Kalonzo’s political stance. “Raila stopped opposing everything the government was doing, and now there’s visible development in Homa Bay. Even in the short time that some of us have cooperated with Ruto, we’ve seen projects take off here. How much more would we achieve if Kalonzo came on board and we jointly championed our people’s needs?” he posed.
Masinga MP Joshua Mwalyo echoed the call, saying Kalonzo should emulate Raila to ensure the entire Ukambani region benefits, not just areas represented by MPs aligned with the government. “If Raila, the Opposition leader, is working with the government because he knows that’s how to secure development projects for his people, then Kalonzo equally has every right to come on board and ensure the whole Ukambani region benefits,” Mwalyo said.
Nominated Senator Beth Syengo made an emotional appeal to Kalonzo: “There is a lot of hunger, struggle, and cold outside government. Kalonzo, we are pleading with you to join us, for it is within government that we can secure development for our people.”
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