Africa-Press – Kenya. Former Cabinet Secretary and presidential economic adviser Moses Kuria has broken his silence on politics, weighing in on the 2027 General Election.
He said President William Ruto’s re-election is uncertain and dismissed Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka as a viable alternative.
Kuria, once a close ally and vocal defender of Ruto, has kept a low political profile since resigning as the President’s Senior Economic Adviser on July 8, 2025.
Before his advisory role, he served as Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry, and later as Cabinet Secretary for Public Service.
Speaking on KTN News on Thursday night, Kuria said some of Ruto’s policies—viewed as unpopular in certain quarters—could undermine his re-election bid.
Asked whether the President could shift the political tide by 2027, Kuria was non-committal.
“I don’t know. When I resigned from government for my own personal reasons, this question you’re asking I told him the answer. I told him maybe the things you’re doing may not percolate into something within your first term but certainly within your second term,” he said.
Kuria drew parallels between Ruto’s presidency and that of the late Mwai Kibaki, noting that Kibaki faced unpopularity in his first term before his economic policies began yielding results later.
However, he cautioned that such a trajectory may not necessarily apply to the current administration.
“Maybe they (Kenyans) don’t see it—what’s the option?” he posed. Then paused. “Kalonzo Musyoka? Me I will move to Afghanistan if Kalonzo becomes President.”
Kuria said his time in government has given him insight into the country’s complexities, adding that he understands “how difficult this country is.”
Kalonzo Musyoka is positioning himself as a frontrunner within the newly formed United Opposition, which includes former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Martha Karua, Eugene Wamalwa and former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i.
The former Vice President is increasingly being viewed as a serious contender and potential kingmaker, bouyed by his consistent support base, particularly in the Ukambani region.
Together with his allies, Kalonzo has pledged to ensure Ruto serves only one term. Some within the opposition frame him as an experienced, calm and trustworthy leader suited to carry the coalition’s presidential ticket.
Kuria, however, questioned Kalonzo’s political positioning, arguing that his experience should have already made him the automatic opposition flagbearer.
“How can Kalonzo Musyoka, someone who supported Baba (Raila Odinga) three times… how come Kalonzo Musyoka is not a frontrunner?” he asked. “How do you lose such advantage?”
Kuria argued that Kalonzo should have leveraged the political capital, organisational structure and support base built by the former Prime Minister, particularly in Nyanza, Western and the Coast.
Kalonzo backed Raila in three elections, serving as his running mate in 2013 and 2017.
“If it were me, I would have said you all know I supported Baba in 2013 and 2017 and supported him even when he picked Martha. It’s not rocket science,” Kuria said.
