Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka gives during a house-opening ceremony for Senator Agnes Kavindu in Machakos on October 31 /HANDOUT

Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka has declared confidence in winning the presidency in 2027, while challenging leaders backing his candidature to demonstrate unwavering support for his bid.

Speaking in Machakos during a house-opening ceremony for Senator Agnes Kavindu, Kalonzo said his political allies had not sufficiently rallied behind his presidential ambitions at a critical time when the Opposition is seeking to consolidate its forces ahead of next year's General Election.

The Wiper boss urged leaders and supporters aligned with his candidature to openly campaign for him, warning that lukewarm support could undermine efforts to mount a formidable challenge against President William Ruto.

“I want to tell you, the people of Machakos and Ukambani, that the time is now,” he said, reaffirming his determination to ascend to State House.

Kalonzo spoke a day after he was heckled during the launch of the Linda Mwananchi Movement headquarters in Lavington, Nairobi, where he faced hostile chants from supporters of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.

The Wiper leader questioned the level of support he received from his allies during the October 30 event, saying other Opposition leaders appeared to have mobilised more supporters than he did.

He noted that Democratic Party of Kenya (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa and Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua were also invited to the event.

Kalonzo observed that Gachagua arrived with a large entourage of leaders and supporters dressed in party colours, while his own delegation was relatively small.

The incident exposed simmering tensions within the Opposition as leaders manoeuvre for influence and positioning ahead of negotiations on a joint presidential candidate.

During the launch, Kalonzo drew the crowd's ire after responding to Wamalwa's endorsement of Sifuna as a possible Opposition presidential candidate in 2027.

He described Sifuna as “just a party leader” and maintained that the selection of a joint presidential candidate should be determined through formal processes during the planned Opposition meetings.

His remarks triggered chants of “President Sifuna” from the crowd, forcing him to pause his address before Sifuna intervened to calm the supporters.

With internal consultations expected to intensify in the coming weeks, the Wiper leader is seeking to reinforce his position as he pushes for the backing of fellow Opposition leaders.

He has maintained that he remains the most experienced candidate to lead the Opposition into the 2027 presidential contest, insisting that his ambitions should not be undermined by internal divisions.

The Opposition has yet to agree on a joint presidential candidate, with several leaders expressing interest in the top seat as efforts to build a united front against Ruto continue.