Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka has fired at President William Ruto over his recent sentiments downplaying the name ‘Zakayo.’

Addressing a rally in Kirinyaga County on Saturday, August 10, 2024, the Head of State downplayed the nickname coined by Kenyans on various social media, insisting everybody should accept to be called Zakayo.

The president proposed that instead of being called Zakayo alone, Kenyans should gladly share the name since they share the burden of paying taxes.

“Mnajua hawa watu waliniita Zakayo. Sasa, kwani hii pesa inaokotwa ya Kenya, inaenda kwa account ya Ruto? Si inaenda Treasury penye mambo yetu yote inaelekea? Hakuna haja kuita mtu mmoja Zakayo. Kila mtu akuje tukuwe Zakayo wote hapa ndani, tuitwe Zakayo wote pamoja, (You these people keep calling me Zakayo. Does all the money collected in Kenya end up in my account? The money goes to Treasury, right? There is no need to call one person Zakayo. Everyone should come, we all be called Zakayo),” Ruto stated.

However, the Wiper Party leader has responded to the president, insisting that he still remains Zakayo.

Speaking at a church in Thika on Sunday, August 11, 2024, Kalonzo noted that picking some cabinet members from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) does not absolve him from being called using that nickname.

“Hakuna moja wao kwa wale wanne ambao ni President kwa hivyo hawezi kusema yeye hataitwa Zakayo na hao wengine. Bado ye ni Zakayo (From the four who were picked from ODM, none of them is the President, so he cannot say that they will collectively be called Zakayo. So he is still Zakayo),” Kalonzo stated.

Wiper Democratic Movement party leader Kalonzo Musyoka at Gospel Tabernacle Church, South B, Nairobi.

At the same time, he warned the new cabinet, especially those picked from the opposition side, by claiming that Ruto has total control of every ministry.

Nonetheless, Kalonzo vowed to soldier on with his push and keep the government in check. He faulted those who were insinuating that he would back down along the way.

Kalonzo made it clear that he will continue advocating for what is right till the 2027 general election, when Kenyans will have a say at the ballot.