The move, political watchers say, is designed to destabilise the fragile opposition unity talks spearheaded by Wiper boss Kalonzo Musyoka.
According to a detailed report by The Star, the commander in chief has been on a behind-the-scenes mission to expand his 2027 re-election base.
His strategy allegedly began with the inclusion of KANU leader Gideon Moi and is now focused on winning over Eugene, a key figure in Western Kenya politics. See full post here.
Kalonzo, who has been leading efforts to unite DAP-K, Wiper, and Jubilee under one opposition front, is said to have taken Ruto’s latest move as a deliberate attempt to divide and weaken their momentum ahead of 2027.
Insiders close to the Wiper camp hint that Kalonzo is now doubling his outreach to Eugene, trying to convince him to stay loyal to the opposition’s vision.
Ruto’s strategy, however, appears broader than just one defection. Sources indicate that the President’s team is exploring partnerships with both ODM remnants and regional parties to rebuild a wide, vote-hungry alliance similar to the 2022 Kenya Kwanza machine.
By tapping into Western and parts of Eastern Kenya, Ruto reportedly hopes to offset possible voter fatigue in Central Kenya.
Meanwhile, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s recent decision to withdraw his own presidential ambitions has shifted the power play within the opposition.
He is now said to be backing Kalonzo’s camp alongside George Natembeya and Fred Matiang’i, an alliance that could have reshaped the political map if Eugene had stayed put.
Eugene’s hesitation, however, signals growing cracks in the opposition’s unity. For Ruto, that’s a quiet win. For Kalonzo, it’s a wake-up call that the battle for 2027 has already begun long before the campaigns are declared open.
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