Kalonzo warns Ruto against using clergy to influence him
By Steve Ireri, September 20, 2025Wiper Patriotic Front Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has strongly criticised President William Ruto over what he described as an attempt to manipulate him and Ukambani leaders by involving senior clergy.
Speaking at the Calvary Christian Tabernacle Church in Machakos on Saturday, September 20, 2025, Kalonzo said he felt compelled to respond to the president’s claims that leaders from the region had rejected development initiatives.
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He dismissed these claims as false and warned that efforts to use bishops to pressure leaders or sway public opinion would not succeed.
“Allow me to respond to what His Excellency the President said today. I must respond. He said he sent church leaders to come and talk to leaders, including me, claiming that we rejected his development plans. Yes, he sent bishops. Let me tell the clergy, do not fall into William Ruto’s trap of sending senior bishops from this region, giving them helicopters to fly everywhere, asking them to go to State House and convince me to join him,” Kalonzo said.
Kalonzo emphasised that clergy hold a position of respect both among their congregations and within the wider community.
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He urged the bishops sent by the president not to fall into what he called a political trap, noting that their role is to shepherd their congregations, not participate in schemes that compromise the integrity of local leaders.
“Those bishops, who were sent to convince me, must not be corrupted because they also have respect, respect for their congregations and respect in the wider community.”
The veteran politician further underlined that development in Ukambani is a constitutional right, not a favour that can be withheld to coerce political compliance.
“The right to development is enshrined in the Constitution. No one can reject a development agenda, and leaders from this region are not obliged to beg or bow to anyone to access projects,” Kalonzo said.
Kalonzo also called on President Ruto to stop spreading falsehoods about the region and its leaders.
He insisted that attempts to manipulate either the clergy or political leaders through threats or coercion must end immediately.
“The people here also know their constitutional rights. The development agenda is written in the Constitution; it guarantees equal development and prohibits discrimination. You cannot, as a leader, say this region has rejected development. For those people, you are crazy. Therefore, this lie from Ruto must end.”