The Wiper Patriotic Front party leader Dr Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka has delivered a sweeping and uncompromising end-of-year address, painting a grim picture of the state of the nation while urging Kenyans to embrace what he termed the “urgency of now” as the country heads into 2026.
Speaking on the second-to-last day of 2025, Kalonzo said Kenya is standing at a historic crossroads, warning that polite language, half-measures and delayed action can no longer address the deepening social, economic and moral crises facing the country. He argued that the nation is burdened by unbearable living costs, rising joblessness, worsening insecurity and the collapse of public services, placing responsibility squarely on the current administration.
“This is not a moment for cosmetic reforms or flowery speeches,” Kalonzo said. “Kenya is crying out for decisive, ethical and people-centred leadership. The urgency of now demands courage and clarity.”
He paid tribute to prominent Kenyans and global icons who died in 2025, including Rt Hon Raila Odinga, Prof Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, Rasna Warah, Pheroze Nowrojee, Phoebe Asiyo and Catherine Nyamato, saying their lives symbolised courage, justice and integrity.
Kalonzo strongly condemned the killing and abduction of young Kenyans during protests, naming victims such as Rex Maasai, Denzel Omondi and Bridgit Njoki, and cited the abduction of civic tech innovator Rosemary Njeri as evidence of grave constitutional violations.
“This is a moral failure that must never be normalised,” he said.
He painted a bleak picture of the economy, citing excessive taxation, corruption, youth joblessness, collapsing healthcare and an education sector strained by costs and uncertainty. He dismissed “bottom-up economics” as empty rhetoric and rejected calls for a referendum, saying the real verdict will come at the ballot in 2027.
In a major declaration, Kalonzo announced he will run for President in 2027, confirming that the United Opposition will unveil its candidate by early 2026. He promised tax relief, economic revival, an end to police brutality, affordable healthcare, better education funding and a renewed fight against corruption.
He urged Kenyans, especially the youth, to register as voters and defend democracy through the ballot, saying, “As we enter 2026, this is the urgency of now.”
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