With the 2027 General Election drawing closer, Kenyans are witnessing a political reawakening across the country. Aspirants are laying down structures, making bold declarations, and capturing headlines. But in stark contrast stands Dr. Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka, leader of the Wiper Democratic Movement , subdued, passive, and largely invisible in the public imagination.
Kalonzo may claim he is running for president, but actions speak louder than press conferences. His political machinery is stalling, and at the center of this dysfunction is a failed communication strategy — one that has left his presidential ambitions looking more like whispers in a crowded room.
His communications director, Paloma Gatabaki, was once a respected media figure , a former KTN PointBlank producer and FINANCE Magazine editor. But her tenure at the helm of Wiper’s messaging has been marked by lethargy, silence, and missed opportunities. Gatabaki, notably the sister-in-law of President William Ruto’s top economic advisor David Ndii, has also raised conflict-of-interest concerns within the political class. How can a serious opposition campaign afford such proximity to the inner sanctums of the government it seeks to oppose?
And it seems even Wiper itself may have realized the ship is off course. In late April, the party quietly advertised for the position of Head of Communication. Was this a restructuring? A polite exit plan for Gatabaki? A sign of panic? The party has not clarified.
According to communication expert and political strategist Mercy Wanjiru, the consequences of such disarray cannot be overstated.
“In today’s political landscape, a presidential candidate is only as strong as their messaging. Your communication strategist must be your amplifier, your compass, and your crisis manager all in one. Without a clear, consistent and innovative media strategy, even the most qualified candidate will fade into political obscurity,” said Wanjiru in an interview with Channel 15 News.
And fade Wiper has.
Sen. Shakila Abdalla
Secretary General
Wiper Secretary General Senator Shakila Abdallah has not been active defending party idealogies in public, whether at the floor of the house or in rallies , mosques or churches while ODM boasts the vocal Edwin Sifuna and UDA rolls out strategy under Omar Hassan. This is no way to run a party, let alone a presidential campaign.
More worrying is the absence of grassroots mobilization. Wiper has not conducted any credible membership registration drive in years. There are no county caucuses, no visible youth or women’s outreach, no national mobilization of delegates. How does Kalonzo expect to face off with President Ruto , a man with a vast, energized ground network — when Wiper’s house is not just in disorder but completely uninhabited?
To make matters worse, Raila Odinga, Kalonzo’s traditional political ally and kingmaker, is no longer in the race and has not actively engaged in ODM grassroots politics since aligning with President Ruto’s broad-based government. Kalonzo, who once played second fiddle to Raila, now stands alone — but seems paralyzed by that independence.
Contrast this with the meteoric political reboot of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. After his impeachment in 2024, many wrote him off. But Gachagua has turned adversity into momentum. He has launched a new political party, one that is already causing shockwaves in Mt. Kenya, and is positioning himself as the most aggressive and visible opposition figure in the country today. He is in churches, town halls, media studios — everywhere.
That is what political strategy looks like.
That is what determination looks like.
That is what ambition looks like.
Kalonzo, by contrast, is waiting. For what, nobody knows. An endorsement? A miracle? A handover from invisible forces?
Whatever it is, it’s not leadership.
The tragedy is that Kalonzo Musyoka has the credentials. He has the experience. But in 2027, he needs more than a clean past — he needs a compelling present. And right now, there’s nothing compelling about a candidate whose voice is missing, whose strategist is failing, and whose party is asleep.
Is Kalonzo Musyoka truly running for president, or is he just running out of time?
