Ukambani MP Tells Kalonzo Musyoka To Join William Ruto's Camp: "He Can't Manage Campaign Budget"

• The ardent supporter of President William Ruto is eyeing the United Democratic Alliance chairmanship in Kitui when the party holds elections
• Nimrod Mbai, representing Kitui East constituency, argued that the only way for Ukambani kingpin Kalonzo Musyoka to get to power was by working with Ruto
• He said that Kalonzo lacked the muscle to go one one-on-one versus Ruto or the Opposition leader Raila Odinga in a presidential contest

Michael Ollinga is a journalist at TUKO.co.ke with over 10 years of experience covering courts and crimes, special reports, and current affairs in Kenya.

President William Ruto's point man in Kitui county has asked Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka to shelve his 2027 presidential ambition and focus on mentoring his successors.

William Ruto's point man in Kitui

Kitui East MP, who was elected on a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket in a region considered to be Kalonzo's Wiper's stronghold, said the veteran politician lacks what it takes to mount and sustain a presidential campaign.

According to Mbai, the only way for Kalonzo to regain his political influence is by forming a coalition with Ruto when the latter defends his seat in 2027.

Mbai argued that the community risked being in the Opposition if they were persuaded to support Kalonzo's solo bid in 2027.

"It's a waste of time for Kalonzo to expect endorsement by Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga. That's one assumption that will not be fulfilled and is not forthcoming," Mbai told TUKO.co.ke.

Kalonzo Musyoka's Supremacy in Ukambani

He opined that Kalonzo could neither outmuscle Raila nor Ruto in a presidential race, and his best bet would be to join forces with a winning side.

"If he weighs himself, he knows he can't compete with Raila or Ruto. He could join either of the two. However, he's joined Raila four times and lost and needs to work with Ruto to get into government," Mbai argued.

The second-term legislator said that he was doing all he could to cement Ruto's base in Ukambani at the expense of Kalonzo's popularity.

Mbai believes he has what it takes to persuade the community to support Ruto's administration now and bid fully in 2027.

"If the people of Kitui East voted for me through a party that was not popular here, it means they agree with our ideology and have an interest in benefiting from the government," the legislator added.

He is optimistic that Ruto got a significant percentage of votes from Kitui in 2022 and was bound to garner more votes in 2027, courtesy of excellent service delivery and timely planning.

Will Kalonzo Musyoka join hands with William Ruto?

In 2022, Ruto got 28% of the total votes cast, demonstrating that he's gaining popularity over Kalonzo.

He added that the Wiper leader would better retire from active politics rather than wait on Raila to hand over a political base he'd built for decades.

Mbai, who is rooting for Kitui County UDA chairmanship in the forthcoming party elections, urged the Kamba community to support the government of the day to benefit from life-changing development projects.

The vocal MP accused Kalonzo of misleading the community, saying the Wiper leader lacked the finances to run a successful presidential campaign.

"He cannot sustain a presidential campaign for a week. Within a few days, he'll be broke, and I am convinced his candidature will not have any impact," said Mbai.

He reiterated the sentiments when addressing his constituents at his rural home in Nzouni.

Mbai had also called on UDA politicians in the Eastern region to work as a unit to get influential party positions in the leading party.