- Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka announced that the united opposition will announce its presidential candidate by the first quarter of 2026
- In his end of the year speech, Kalonzo said the opposition coalition has agreed to give Kenyans clarification on leadership plans early
- The former vice president used the speech to strongly criticize Kenya’s Kwanza administration, blaming it for the high cost of living, job losses, lack of security and the decline of democratic space.
- Reflecting on 2025 as a year marked by national loss and governance failure, Kalonzo warned against the proposed constitutional referendum
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka He said the opposition coalition will name its presidential candidate early next year.
Source: UGC
The former vice president highlighted the unity of the opposition, saying that by the first quarter of 2026, they will have one candidate to face the President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election.
When will the presidential candidate of the opposition coalition be named?
In his year-end speech on Monday, December 30, Kalonzo said the United Opposition was determined to give Kenyans clarity about its leadership plans early enough.
Kalonzo expressed confidence in their chance to oust Ruto, describing the coalition as “waiting for the government”.
“The Union Opposition is not just a union. It is your Government in Waiting. We are united not by personal desires, but by common values: respect for the Constitution, economic justice, integrity in public office, and the protection of basic rights. And I promise this: By the first quarter of 2026, the name of our presidential candidate will be known to Kenyans,” Kalonzo said, while emphasizing that he will be in the presidential race.
In this context, Kalonzo described the Opposition Union as united by collective values rather than individual ambitions, listing respect for the Constitution, economic justice and the protection of rights as its main pillars.
He said his decision to run for the presidency was based on the new mandate from his party, following the reinvigoration of the Wiper Patriotic Front in its National Assembly in October 2025.
How did Kalonzo explain the events of 2025?
The former vice president framed his announcement in broad criticism of Ruto’s administration Kenya First.
He said that the country was facing what he described as organized torture marked by high cost of living, loss of jobs, lack of security, and what he called the erosion of constitutional freedoms.
Kalonzo used the address to reflect on 2025, a year he said had been defined by national loss and growing public despair.
“My fellow Kenyans, the year 2025 was a year of great loss. We have lost men and women who changed this country and shaped our journey towards justice and freedom,” he said.
He remembered the famous people who died that year, including the former prime minister Raila OdingaRasna Warah, Pheroze Nowrojee, Phoebe Asiyo na Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o.
The veteran politician described them as voices that shaped Kenya’s long democratic and human rights journey, adding that their legacy required courage and action in the face of injustice.
Most of his speech focused on the deaths, injuries and abductions of Kenyan youth during protests and meetings with security agencies.
Kalonzo named several victims and said the incidents represented a moral failure by the government, stressing that none of the victims deserved the violence they were subjected to.
He said that the situation showed a bigger crisis in the administration, talking about what he described as runaway taxes, unemployment among educated youth, increasing insecurity and the collapse of important public services.
Source: Twitter
The Wiper leader criticized the health care system, citing cases where families could not pay medical bills and bodies were stored in morgues.
Kalonzo also took aim at the proposed constitutional referendum as well as the 2027 elections, warning that such a move would serve to distract voters and potentially rein in those in power.
He insisted that there was no constitutional crisis that justified the referendum and insisted that the only legitimate test of leadership would be in a referendum.
“Let me be clear: Implement the Constitution of Kenya first and obey and respect the rule of law and the Constitution you swore to follow. Plans to increase Kenyans should pass the term limit, they must know the radar,” he announced.
How will the opposition agree on the presidential candidate?
Meanwhile, Gachagua said the recent political activities, including the ongoing by-elections, are part of a planned plan to unite the opposition behind one presidential candidate before the general election.
He explained that the dialogue is used as an exercise to adjust the formula and the process of choosing a common candidate.
Gachagua added that the biggest goal is to respond to the demands of Kenyans for national unity and meaningful leadership and change.
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