“At my age, why would I want to steal?” Kalonzo says in pitch for 2027 presidency

Wiper Patriotic Front party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has cited his age and long experience in public service as reasons Kenyans can trust him to lead the country if elected president in 2027.

Kalonzo said his experience in government would allow him to provide stable leadership while mentoring younger generations and steering the country towards what he described as a new beginning.

“At my age, Kenyans can trust. Why would I want to steal? Why would I want to go after public assets and own them and get land, massive chunks of land? Why?” Kalonzo said.

Speaking on NTV's Fixing the Nation show, Kalonzo said he intends to be on the ballot in the 2027 presidential election, after previously seeking the presidency in 2007.

“I think it's important to make it clear to Kenyans that this time around, and if I live in this country, we shall be on the ballot paper,” he said.

Kalonzo said his political agenda would be anchored on what he described as rescuing the country, pointing to the rebranding of his party and its “Komboa Kenya” clarion call.

“If you imagine that it's about time we rescued this nation, it's rescue time. That's why in our own rebranded party, Wiper Patriotic Front, our clarion call is Komboa Kenya, rescue the nation. And so we're in a rescue mission,” he said.

He also linked his presidential bid to demands by young Kenyans for greater transparency and an end to corruption.

Kalonzo said the Gen Z generation had made the country recognise the need for transparent government and stronger action against corruption, arguing that his record and experience placed him in a position to lead that fight.

“I think I'm the face of that fight against corruption,” he said.

The former Vice-President said his experience in public life was one of the qualities he would bring to the presidency, particularly at a time when younger generations were seeking greater participation in leadership.

He said while young people should take their place in leadership, they also needed mentorship from experienced leaders.

“The young also need mentorship. And I think I'm in that space where if I'm elected president, this country can surely benefit from my long experience in public life,” Kalonzo said.

He said his experience would also help him manage crises and provide reassurance during difficult periods.

“I think of experience, which is important,” he said. “How do you manage a crisis? We have been there before.”

Kalonzo argued that Kenya was in need of what he described as new leadership and a new beginning, which he referred to as the “Third Republic”.

He traced the country's political journey from independence in 1963 to the struggle for multiparty democracy, saying the next phase should focus on transparent leadership.

“I think now this country, the Third Republic, will have to dwell at length on transparent leadership,” he said.

Kalonzo said leaders should not enter government with the aim of accumulating wealth or acquiring public assets.

“Not where leaders go in there for the sake of it. They want to amass as much as they can,” he said.

He said his long experience in government and familiarity with national and international affairs would also be an advantage if he wins the presidency.

“A face that is familiar, yet experienced, yet even globally expected to lead, and regionally. And I think that's where we are,” he said.

Kalonzo was previously on the presidential ballot in the 2007 General Election, when he finished third.

Reflecting on that election, he challenged those who dismissed his performance to consider the effort required to secure a million votes.

“I challenged them. Try and amass a million votes. You see how expensive it is. It's never easy,” he said.

Kalonzo said he hoped to return to the ballot in 2027 as he seeks to make another attempt at the presidency.