Which way for Kenya, Kalonzo or Ruto?
Between Dr. Kalonzo Musyoka and Dr. William Ruto, Kenyans have a clear choice for the next President in 2027. The current president, despite being given a chance to redeem himself in 2022, has ultimately failed to meet expectations.
Both Kalonzo and Ruto offer distinct leadership paths, but after the challenges faced under the current administration, it’s clear that Kenyans are looking for a leader who can truly deliver on their hopes and needs.
Here's a comparison between Dr. William Ruto and Dr. Kalonzo Musyoka in terms of their political careers and timelines.
Dr. William Ruto:
Joined KANU Politics: 1992 (at 25 years)
Member of Parliament (MP):
Eldoret North (1997-2013)
Ministerial Positions:
Minister of Home Affairs (1998-2001)
Minister of Agriculture (2008-2009)
Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (2009-2010)
Deputy President:
Republic of Kenya (2013-2022)
President:
Republic of Kenya (2022-current)
Total Years in Government/Elective Office: 33 years (1992–2025)
Total Years in Politics: 33 years (1992–2025)
Dr. Kalonzo Musyoka:
Joined KANU Politics: 1985 (at 32 years)
Member of Parliament (MP):
Mwingi North (1993-2013)
Ministerial Positions:
Minister of Foreign Affairs (1995-1997)
Minister of Home Affairs (1998-2002)
Minister of Foreign Affairs (again) (2003-2007)
Vice President:
Republic of Kenya (2008-2013)
Total Years in Government/Elective Office: 20 years (1993–2013)
Total Years in Politics: 40 years (1985–2025)
Controversial Aspects and Missteps of William Samoei Ruto
Strong Ties to Corruption:
Ruto has been linked to several corruption scandals, including the maize scandal, NYS, Kimwarer & Arror dams, Turkey arms deal, SHA system, avoidable housing program, Safaricom sale, and Kenya Pipeline Company, etc. In 2024, the OCCRP's Corrupt Person of the Year award ranked President Ruto as the world’s most corrupt leader, alongside the ousted President of Syria, Bashar Al-Assad.
Involvement in Land Grabbing:
He has been accused of land grabbing in Rift Valley, Nairobi, and the lower coastal region.
ICC Indictment for Crimes Against Humanity (2007 PEV):
Ruto was indicted by the ICC for crimes related to the 2007 post-election violence (PEV), including the burning of women and children in Kiambaa Church, destruction of property, displacement, and killings of Kikuyus in Rift Valley.
Politicization and Capture of Public Institutions:
He has politicized and captured public institutions for political control and gain.
Divisive Politics:
His use of “41 vs 1”, madoadoa and hustler rhetoric has fueled ethnic division, class and political polarization.
Human Rights Violations:
There have been evidence of forced disappearances, abductions, and extrajudicial killings of Gen Z youth under his leadership.
Suppression of Freedoms and Crackdown on Dissent:
His government is known for suppressing freedoms, cracking down on dissent, and using police brutality to silence opposition and limit free speech.
Political Betrayal of Allies and 2022 Voters:
Ruto has betrayed his main political allies and 2022 voters, particularly after his impeachment of DP Rigathi Gachagua and the failure to fulfill his hustler pesa mfukoni promises.
What about Kalonzo Musyoka, any corruption controversy?
Kalonzo Musyoka may be seen by the courts , public and the media as relatively free from corruption scandals, presenting him as "as white as snow" in comparison to many of his political rivals. However, his main opponent, President William Ruto, is working hard to portray him in a negative light.
After failing to lure Kalonzo into his blood-based regime, Ruto has started criticizing Kalonzo for being in previous government for much of his career, accusing him of doing nothing tangible during his time in power. This attack on Kalonzo’s track record is largely motivated by the fact that, unlike some others, Kalonzo has no corruption allegations against him, making him a difficult target for the same accusations that Ruto himself faces.
Ruto has also sought to undermine Kalonzo’s loyalty to the ODM and the late Raila Odinga by accusing him of betraying Raila in 2007. The claim is that Kalonzo, rather than siding with Raila after the disputed 2007 election results, accommodated President Mwai Kibaki, despite many expecting him to stand with the opposition.
However, like any other Kenyan, Kalonzo was qualified and eligible to run for president in 2007, and accusing him of betrayal for choosing his own political path is an unfair and desperate attack from the current desperate regime.
Moreover, Kalonzo’s long-standing loyalty to Raila Odinga as his most faithful political ally in three presidential elections is often overlooked by his critics. After the failure of the “Singapore narrative”, those in power are now trying to tarnish Kalonzo’s reputation, despite his consistent support for Raila in the past.
According to mama Ida Odinga, Kalonzo's history in politics, particularly in relation to Raila Odinga, will not be reduced to baseless attacks in an attempt to discredit him. Many Kenyans share this stand of mama Ida.
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