Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen subtly suggested that Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka should leave the opposition and join the Kenya Kwanza camp, as speculation grows about the former deputy president possibly aligning with President William Ruto.
Murkomen spoke during a Sunday Service at AIC Milimani, where he made a pointed remark which appeared to acknowledge Kalonzo as the main man to bear the flag for the opposition.
However, in the same vein, Murkomen also subtly pointed out that Kalonzo should join the ruling government by extending an invitation for unity.
The CS specifically referenced Kalonzo's affiliations with the AIC church – the same church Ruto attends – as a reason why the two leaders should come together.
“William Ruto will be running in the elections and is from the AIC church. And the person leading the opposition is from the AIC church," Murkomen said.
"So if you have the capacity, bring us together. So we can work as one."
Murkomen is the latest leader to bring up the conversation of Kalonzo ditching the opposition outfit, despite the Wiper Patriotic Front boss repeatedly saying he would never collaborate with Ruto's government, which he infamously described as "blood-based".
In one of his latest addresses, Kalonzo reiterated his stance on September 7 as he warned other opposition leaders against straying from their shared agenda.
Meanwhile, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's camp on Sunday also called out President Ruto's allies, accusing them of panicking by trying to 'poach' Kalonzo.
Through the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP)'s official handle, the former DP accused the Kenya Kwanza regime of deploying unconventional tactics to court Kalonzo to scatter opposition numbers.
“That William Ruto is poaching Kalonzo day and night using men of cloth, local politicians, medicine men and rainmakers. It should be remembered that Ruto defeated Raila by just 200,000 votes,” read part of the statement.
The Gachagua-led political outfit highlighted Ruto’s narrow victory over Raila in the 2022 General Election, insisting that the ruling party was left politically rattled.
Although Gachagua maintains he is the right man to challenge Ruto, Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya recently noted that the United Opposition has yet to agree on a flagbearer.
A special committee tasked with selecting the opposition candidate has reportedly narrowed the list down to four names, ahead of an official announcement.
