By STEPHEN MULI
The recent Opinion Poll released by TIFA has clearly shown that if the United Opposition hopes to mount a formidable challenge against President William Ruto, it must rally behind Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka.
Pitted against other Opposition luminaries such as Fred Matiang’i and Rigathi Gachagua, Kalonzo takes a commendable lead with 19 percent support, slightly behind Ruto’s 24 percent, making him an obvious choice to fly the Opposition’s presidential flag.
The interpretation of this is that if the other Opposition leaders coalesce around Kalonzo, his support strength would instantly surge beyond 50 percent, and create a political wave that would easily sweep president Ruto off his feet.
Unlike other leaders whose political careers are baggaged by controversy, the former Vice President has over the years cultivated an image of sobriety, restraint and integrity.
These traits have endeared him to the majority of Kenyans who view him as sober, non confrontational and scandal-free leader with a unifying mien etched deep in his personality.
It has been argued, and rightly so, that Kalonzo’s strength lies not only in his personal image, but also in his deep understanding of the Government.
Having served as Vice President under the late president Mwai Kibaki – during which time the country witnessed phenomenal economic growth and stability, Foreign Affairs Minister, Education Minister and a long serving legislator, Kalonzo possesses unmatched institutional experience within the Opposition ranks.
He understands diplomacy. He understands governance. He understands coalition building and understands the mechanics of state power.
More importantly, Kalonzo remains one of the few Opposition figures acceptable across different political and ethnic divides.
Why so? Kalonzo is viewed as a less polarizing figure, compared to others, making him a natural consensus candidate with the ability to attract support from every nook and cranny of this country.
There is not a single Kenyan, in Government or just an ordinary mwnananchi, who holds a grudge against Kalonzo. None!
This explains why opinion polls are pointing to the fact that Kalonzo is the most acceptable candidate to beat Ruto.
The recent poll, that tested various Opposition formations showed that tickets associated with the Wiper boss as the flagbearer would deliver a political killer punch on the unpopular Kenya Kwanza regime.
The United Opposition needs also to draw lessons from past elections. One of the key lessons is that any slight fragmentation of the Opposition would only deliver benefits to Ruto’s table before daybreak.
This is a fatal mistake the United Opposition cannot afford to do. Unity is the only thing Kenyans expect of the Opposition luminaries.
And because the ultimate goal is to root out Kasongo and his incompetent and insensitive regime, the Opposition cannot afford to take chances. There is absolutely no room for gamble.
Kalonzo is the clearest path to that ultimate goal; he is Kenya’s safe pair of hands that the Opposition, and indeed Kenyans should bank on for 2027.
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