• Despite public chatter, Dr.Ndonye doubts Kalonzo will be on the 2027 presidential ballot. “He has expressed interest before but never gone all the way,” he said. “What Kenyans are looking for now is not necessarily a president but a dependable public servant. Kalonzo fits that space if he plays his cards right.”

In recent weeks, Kenya’s political discourse has been marked by a striking shift in public sentiment from former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, once seen as a rising reformist star, to veteran politician Kalonzo Musyoka.

This shift is not merely about personalities but about the hopes, disillusionment, and strategic calculations of a nation seeking leadership in uncertain times.

On The Political Oracle a segment of the Talk Chat Podcast, political analyst Dr. Michael Ndonye explored this phenomenon, noting that the public once ardently defended Matiang’i. He embodied a promise of strong leadership and reform. Yet, according to Dr. Ndonye, Kenyans feel that Matiang’i squandered this goodwill by failing to build an independent political base.

“We told Matiang’i to have his own party,” Dr Ndonye said. “Without his own house, he became vulnerable. Patterns in politics are predictable, and Matiang’i failed to prepare.”

This vacuum has created an opening for Kalonzo Musyoka, a veteran diplomat and seasoned political player. Unlike Matiang’i, Kalonzo has a long track record in elective politics having served as an MP, Cabinet Minister, Vice President, and mediator in regional conflicts.

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His perceived integrity, relative absence of scandals, and reputation as a unifier have endeared him to sections of the public. “Kalonzo has fulfilled one constitutional condition many politicians fail integrity,” Dr.Ndonye noted. “But Kenyans rarely reward clean politicians. He must go further.”

Yet Kalonzo’s legacy is complex. While respected for his diplomacy and peace-building, he has spent much of the past decade in opposition, a space Dr.Ndonye argues is not his natural habitat.

 “Kalonzo is stronger when he’s in government than outside it,” he explained. “His blessing and political inheritance are in the system not in opposition.” According to Dr.Ndonye, Kalonzo’s appeal lies not necessarily in becoming president but in offering public service and stability within government structures.

The analyst offered strategic advice to Kalonzo if he wishes to remain relevant. First, avoid associating too closely with figures like Rigathi Gachagua who could damage his image “the same mistake Matiang’i made.”

Second, negotiate to be part of government, whether as a running mate or in another senior role. Third, build a clear political base and demonstrate capacity to mobilize voters.

Despite public chatter, Dr.Ndonye doubts Kalonzo will be on the 2027 presidential ballot. “He has expressed interest before but never gone all the way,” he said. “What Kenyans are looking for now is not necessarily a president but a dependable public servant. Kalonzo fits that space if he plays his cards right.”

In a political environment where disenchantment is high and alternatives scarce, Kalonzo Musyoka’s re-emergence as a focal point of hope says less about him and more about the vacuum left by others. Whether he seizes this moment will shape Kenya’s political landscape well beyond 2027.

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