“I No Longer Want To Be Number Two”: Musalia Mudavadi Declares Presidential Ambitions

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has firmly ruled out any possibility of serving as President William Ruto’s deputy, officially declaring his long-term intention to run for the presidency.

Speaking on Thursday, July 10, 2026, during an animated address to supporters at the Kitale Show Grounds in Kiminini Constituency, the veteran politician made it clear that his sights are set strictly on the top job.

The Strategy: Backing Ruto Now for a Shot Later

While Mudavadi’s ultimate goal is the State House, he clarified that his immediate priority remains securing President Ruto’s re-election in the upcoming 2027 General Election. He urged his political base to back Ruto for a second term, framing it as the definitive stepping stone for his own future bid.

Key takeaways from Mudavadi’s declaration include:

• No Interest in Being Deputy: Mudavadi explicitly stated he is no longer interested in the second-highest office in the land.

• Warning to the Opposition: He cautioned rival political figures against underestimating the President’s political machinery, dismissing their chances of unseating the current administration in 2027.

• The Ultimate Target: He positioned himself as a future presidential contender, waiting for the right moment to transition from a key strategist to the main candidate.

In His Own Words

“For me, I no longer want to be number two. At the right time, I want to be number one. Hiyo ndio target (That is the target). But in the interim, hapa muhula, tusaidie Ruto apate muhula wake wa pili (let’s help Ruto get his second term). Na mimi nataka niwaambie right now, kwa wakati huu, hao wote ambao wanazunguka hapa kutoka kule opposition, I want to tell you hawatafua dafu (they won’t succeed).”

With this declaration, Mudavadi has drawn a clear line on his political future, setting the stage for a dramatic shift in Kenya’s post-2027 political landscape.