Wiper Patriotic Front has hit back over an old photograph of its leader Kalonzo Musyoka with President William Ruto that went viral this week. The party says the picture was taken in October 2018, when Ruto, then Deputy President, visited the Musyoka family to condole with them after the death of Kalonzo's father, Mzee Peter Musyoka Mairu.

The image resurfaced on social media as Ruto toured Machakos, Makueni and Kitui counties on a four-day development tour. Online commentators read it as a hint that the President was reaching out to the former Vice President ahead of the 2027 General Election.

What Wiper says

In a statement released on Tuesday, October 27, Wiper spokesperson Ndegwa Njiru said Ruto made the visit with Kithure Kindiki and Kipchumba Murkomen, who were both senators then. Kindiki is now Deputy President and Murkomen is the Interior Cabinet Secretary.

Njiru said reposting the photo had turned a private moment of grief into political material. "It is a matter of profound regret that despair and desperation can so completely erode a man's sense of decency that he would stoop to the low of exploiting the private grief and misfortune of others for political ends," he said.

He accused unnamed people of "blackmail" and "state-sponsored propaganda". He said none of it would shake the resolve of those working to remove what he called a "predatory regime".

'Only at the ballot'

The party also used the statement to restate where Kalonzo stands on 2027, ruling out any deal with the President.

"I wish to reiterate that our party leader and presidential candidate shall only meet the leader of this predatory regime at the ballot," Njiru said.

Wiper said its political plans were unchanged and that the photo would not knock them off course.

A charged week in Ukambani

The row comes during a week of intense political activity around Kalonzo. During the Ukambani tour, Ruto made open appeals to the Kamba community and to Kalonzo himself. In Kitui on Monday, he also broke ground on a Sh70 billion cement plant.

On the same day, Kalonzo was at former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's Wamunyoro home in Nyeri, where united opposition leaders are trying to agree on a single presidential candidate to face Ruto.

Wiper has repeatedly presented Kalonzo as the opposition's most experienced contender. Party officials say any suggestion that he is negotiating with the ruling side is meant to unsettle his supporters and weaken his position in the opposition talks.

  • The photo dates back to October 2018, according to Wiper.
  • Ruto, Kindiki and Murkomen were in the delegation that visited the bereaved family.
  • Wiper insists Kalonzo will be on the 2027 presidential ballot against Ruto.

Photo: People Daily (Kalonzo Musyoka/X). Thumbnail design: HAMASTA MEDIA.