Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka has now moved to publicly claim credit for the legacy of the late former President Mwai Kibaki, a move that comes amid growing political pressure after President William Ruto questioned his development record.
Speaking during an interview on NTV, a visibly defensive Kalonzo repeatedly sought to associate himself with Kibaki-era achievements, insisting that the former president’s legacy is also his own because he served as Vice President between 2008 and 2013. Notably, he consistently used the word “we” while outlining flagship projects undertaken during Kibaki’s tenure.
“Kenyans will remember I was Vice President to Kibaki; that is when we built the Thika Highway,” Kalonzo said, directly inserting himself into one of the most celebrated infrastructure projects of the Kibaki administration.
He went further to list diplomatic and regional milestones, including Kenya’s role in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement that led to the independence of South Sudan, again claiming joint ownership of the achievements. “The work we did on South Sudan was realised under the CPA signed here in Nairobi under President Kibaki,” he stated.
Kalonzo also attempted to defend his long political career as Kitui North MP from 1985 to 2013, arguing that repeated re-election was proof of development in the region. “Why would people keep electing one man called Kalonzo Musyoka from 1985?” he posed.
The remarks appeared aimed at countering President Ruto’s recent criticism over the absence of key infrastructure projects, including the road linking Kalonzo’s home in Tseikuru. Kalonzo defended the delay, arguing that leaders “eat last,” and blamed Ruto for concentrating development in his own home region.
He further claimed a clean personal record free of graft allegations and dismissed President Ruto’s ambition to turn Kenya into a First World economy, saying the Singapore model is unrealistic given the country’s unemployment levels.