Kalonzo: Why my march to State House is unstoppable

Mr Musyoka also called on ODM party leader Raila Odinga to honourably quit elective politics and not contemplate another stab at the presidency come the next General Election.

He, however, said should the two leaders both be on the ballot in 2027, he will be declared president very early in the morning. 

In an exclusive interview with NTV at his Karen home, Nairobi, on Friday, the ex-Vice President maintained his last time being a running mate was in 2022 and he now has enough political experience to have another go at the presidency. 

Mr Musyoka, while not ruling out talks with his counterparts in the opposition with similar ambitions, said he is best placed to send President Ruto home should he still be in office by 2027.

Read: Kalonzo dismisses Kindiki overtures, vows to stay in Opposition

He said Kenyans should judge him by his track record while serving as the late President Mwai Kibaki during the Grand Coalition government.

“There is no doubt about that (being on the ballot in 2027). You are looking at the sixth President of Kenya. Leadership is a calling and I have endured a lot. I think the time is now,” said Mr Musyoka.

He allayed fears that his stance might disintegrate the opposition, insisting they have no choice but to remain united as opposition leaders because should they go their separate ways, then President Ruto will easily get a second term.

The leaders include former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, ex-Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, former Defence Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa and immediate former Public Service CS Justin Muturi, among others.

“There is nothing like putting together a committee of experts to help us pick a flag bearer. I only saw such reports in the media and you don’t have to respond to everything,” he said.

Mr Musyoka said the tribeless, partyless and leaderless Gen Zs are still not ready for a stab at the presidency and should take time to learn from present leaders.

'Cousins movement'

“The Gen Zs are still young. It is important we prepare them first. Leadership requires skills and we must pass on the skills by preparing them,” he said.

He said the “cousins movement” is the new version of “hustler” movement that was championed by President Ruto during 2022 campaigns, hitting out at leaders who want to associate the movement with tribal politics.

“A cousin is someone who has been oppressed by William Ruto’s bad governance. This is like the hustler movement in 2022. It is not a matter of Bantus or tribes but people affected by bad governance by the current regime,” he said.

In the wide-ranging interview, the former VP urged President Ruto to call for a national convention to discuss what is ailing the nation rather than approaching individual leaders and co-opting them into his struggling administration.

He said President Ruto and Mr Odinga should not spearhead the talks but let it be led by other leaders with a view to formation of a transitional government.

“We should ask ourselves if there is a need for a new conversation that involves all Kenyans. Kenyans are angry and if I were President Ruto I would call for a national discourse or just do self-introspection and resign,” said Mr Musyoka.

Read: Kalonzo borrows Raila’s playbook to boost Opposition profile

The former Foreign Affairs minister cited an example of President Ruto co-opting four members of ODM party into his government as a move that has completely backfired.

He said President Ruto underestimated Kenyans disenfranchisement with his administration by thinking that forming a broad-based government will stabilise the country and the economy.

“What have the four experts done since joining the government? Nothing. Those are fake experts. The truth is now out for all to see,” Mr Musyoka said.

“The politics of handouts will not work. It is politics of desperation. The whole thing is backfiring. It is massive bribery and this is even making people angrier,” he added.

Mr Musyoka termed the Gen Z protests as a revolutionary moment that has reminded political leaders, no one is indispensable and therefore needs to be nurtured in a manner that leaves the country stable and united.

Responding to accusations by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen on Thursday that the opposition is sponsoring the protests as part of an alleged coup plot, Mr Kalonzo said nothing can be further from the truth.

Mr Musyoka said he has also been in other protests like the 2023 opposition anti-government protests led by ODM party leader Raila Odinga and such allegations have not been levelled against them.

“How can someone topple a government armed with only smartphones and water? Even lies require some intelligence. The protests were organised by the youth who wanted to remember their counterparts who lost their lives a year ago,” said Mr Musyoka.

“Maybe it is the large numbers of Gen Zs that scared the government into thinking there is a coup plot. What is there is a spirit of revolution and not a coup plot,” he added.

He dared the government to arrest any opposition leader with regards to the allegations.

“If you have evidence Gachagua has done something, then they should arraign him. Let them try arresting him,” he said.

The former Vice President said the opposition’s main agenda is to make President Ruto a “one term” president coupled with ensuring victims of police brutality are adequately compensated as well as bring to an end State capture and other government excesses through the Peoples Restorative Commission led by Mr Muturi.

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