Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has announced a Sh25,000-a-plate fundraising dinner in Nairobi to support his 2027 presidential campaign.
The gala dinner, set to take place at a Nairobi hotel, is expected to gather between 5,000 and 10,000 professionals from Kenya and the diaspora.
This move indicates Kalonzo’s early preparation for the 2027 presidential contest, which some analysts suggest represents his most viable opportunity.
Kalonzo, who has served as Raila Odinga’s running mate twice, is fully committed to making another presidential attempt after his unsuccessful 2007 bid.
“You are cordially invited to a distinguished Gala Dinner to witness and support the unveiling of H.E. Dr. Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka, EGH, SC, CS, 2027 Presidential Campaign Platform,” an invitation card obtained by The Star states.
According to the invitation, the high-profile event will begin at 6pm Saturday, with registration set at Sh25,000 per participant.
Registration closed on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, though The Star could not confirm the number of attendees who had registered by the deadline.
Kalonzo’s ally and Machakos Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi explained that Saturday’s dinner is primarily organized by professional colleagues of the former vice president.
“Some people felt that we should come together, have a cup of tea and also exchange a few things. It is something to have us come together and have a conversation,” Mwangangi told The Star.
Sources within Wiper indicated that the event targets business leaders, professionals, entrepreneurs, and supporters interested in backing Kalonzo’s presidential campaign.
Professionals from abroad are also expected to participate, with several having already arrived in the country for the event.
Some invitations were sent to Wiper life members, the Machakos county business community, and professionals in Machakos county.
Mwangangi emphasized that serious presidential candidates must fundraise, noting that campaigns are expensive undertakings.
“There is no problem in all that, any serious leader previously has done it. Not that this is the first people to do it. All these serious candidates have engaged Kenyans and other partners in their bid to win the country,” Mwangangi, also a Wiper NEC member, told The Star over the phone.
“It is the way to go.”
Kitui senator Enoch Wambua downplayed the fundraising aspect, explaining the event will be more of a dinner where Kalonzo will launch his presidential website.
“It is a dinner where he (Kalonzo) is going to launch official social media platforms. It is going to be a full house,” Wambua told The Star over the phone.
“I have not seen the guest list, a lot of people have been invited. It is a dinner by registration.”
With President Ruto considered wealthy and philanthropic, the Wiper leader is preparing to secure resources for the 2027 political showdown.
This fundraiser represents one of the earliest large-scale resource mobilization efforts by a presidential contender ahead of the 2027 race.
The 2027 general election is expected to be a financially intensive political contest, with analysts predicting a fierce battle of financial resources between President William Ruto and his challengers.
Ruto and his UDA party enter the race with significant advantages, backed by an established campaign network and access to substantial political funds accumulated over the years.
The incumbent is also strengthened by the cooperation with Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), Kenya’s two largest political parties and the primary beneficiaries of public political party funding.
In the current financial year (2025/2026), the two parties received a combined Sh1.2 billion, representing the majority of the allocation.
Wiper received Sh98 million according to data from the Registrar of Political Parties.
Fundraising dinners have become increasingly common in Kenya’s presidential campaigns, with candidates seeking alternative funding sources amid the high costs of nationwide campaigns.
Such events typically provide aspirants with opportunities to engage supporters while raising funds for campaign logistics, grassroots mobilization, publicity, and organizational activities.
Kalonzo’s latest initiative follows a trend where presidential hopefuls have utilized structured fundraising events and diaspora outreach programs to finance their political ambitions.
In 2013 and 2017, then President Uhuru Kenyatta employed the services of US data-mining firm Cambridge Analytica, which was paid millions of shillings.
For the 2013 polls, Raila organized a Sh1 million-a-plate dinner where guests donated a minimum of Sh1 million.
In the most recent elections, business tycoons from Mt Kenya organized a multi-million shilling dinner for Raila to finance his 2022 campaigns.
Diaspora tours, particularly in Western countries with significant Kenyan populations, have also become key avenues for mobilizing financial support and building international networks.
Kalonzo, positioning himself as a leading opposition contender, is expected to increase his engagements with supporters both locally and internationally as preparations for the 2027 contest intensify.
Several presidential hopefuls have expressed interest in the opposition and in challenging President Ruto who is seeking re-election.
These hopefuls include Fred Matiang’i (Jubilee Party), Martha Karua (PLP), Eugene Wamalwa (DAP-K), Rigathi Gachagua (DCP), and Justine Muturi (Democratic Party).
Linda Mwanachi leader Edwin Sifuna has not yet declared his candidacy despite pressure from a section of Kenyans for him to join the race.