Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti speaking during a burial ceremony in Mitaboni Ward, April 8, 2025. /SCREENGRABAs the 2027 general election jitters continue to take root by the day, political players have started strategising on how best to sell themselves or their preferred candidates during the high-stakes presidential race.
The horizon remains shaky on the exact number of candidates who will be on the ballot, but several political formations have already made it clear who they will be fronting in a bid to deny President William Ruto a second term.
Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti has made a rallying call to the Kamba nation to throw their weight behind Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, who has long indicated that he will do battle with Ruto and other presidential contenders at the polls.
Speaking during a burial ceremony in Mitaboni Ward on Tuesday, the governor emphasised the importance of collective support to secure victory for Kalonzo in the elections.
“As you are all aware, Dr Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka will be contesting for the presidency in 2027. Let us walk this journey together by fully supporting his bid. Beyond that, we must also elect leaders from his party, from MCAs to governors, so that he has a strong and reliable support base,” Ndeti said.
The 2027 presidential race is shaping up to be one for the movies, going by the probable line-up consisting of tried and tested individuals.
Although veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga is yet to make his stand clear on whether or not he will give the presidency another stab - a sixth, to be exact - he has stated unequivocally that despite his working relations with Ruto, his ODM party will front a candidate in the elections.
Another familiar face anticipated to be on the ballot is former Interior CS Fred Matiang'i whose candidacy has been mentioned by political leaders from his Gusii backyard as a done case.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has also vowed to mount a serious campaign onslaught in a bid to unseat his former boss using his yet-to-be-unveiled political party, whose base he said will be in the Mountain.
Even though his bid remains blurry by dint of his impeachment on the strength of the Ethics and Integrity Act, should the courts rule in his favour after he challenged his ouster, the self-styled "truthful man" remains a real threat to all presidential contenders in 2027.
In light of the probable scenario, Ndeti called on the Kamba community to unite and throw their full support behind Kalonzo, while reiterating her commitment to delivering on the promises she made to the people of Machakos county.
She highlighted several development projects her administration has implemented, including the construction and improvement of healthcare facilities, TVET institutions, ECDE centres, water projects, and modern boda boda sheds across the county.
She also mentioned the Machakos Youth Empowerment Programme as a key initiative targeting the county’s young people, a key voting bloc that political observers say will tilt the outcome of the 2027 elections by a wide margin.
“Nothing will deter me from serving you diligently. Those calling our children ‘militia’ for being trained under the Machakos Youth Empowerment Programme should stop. Here in Mitaboni, I'm training more than 200 youths, and before the end of April, we will issue them with certificates and empowerment equipment,” Ndeti said.
