Wiper Democratic Movement leader Kalonzo Musyoka has embarked on a presidential campaign tour in Homa Bay and Migori counties, declaring himself the best-placed opposition candidate to defeat President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election. Mr Musyoka's visit comes amid shifting political loyalties in the region, with several sitting leaders gravitating towards the Kenya Kwanza administration. He was accompanied by former Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi, Nyali Member of Parliament Mohamed Ali, Raphael Tuju, and other politicians.
During his tour, Mr Musyoka invoked the legacy of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, seeking to establish an emotional connection with the electorate. He told cheering crowds that seeing him is like seeing Raila Odinga, casting himself as Baba Mdogo. Mr Musyoka pledged to carry forward the political aspirations of the region, insisting that the dream championed by the former Prime Minister remained alive. He assured Nyanza that the Canaan journey is still on and will continue.
The opposition team's convoy travelled without incident from Kisumu International Airport to Migori, but Mr Musyoka's team was attacked by a group of youths in Migori. According to him, the violence was scripted, with a group of youths told to throw stones at him before police responded by hurling teargas. Despite the incident, Mr Musyoka said he will not be deterred from his campaigns. He wrote on his Facebook account that stones and teargas could not stop him from addressing the people of Migori.
Mr Musyoka acknowledged that critics had cautioned him against taking his campaign to the grassroots in the region, recalling the August 16 incident in which a Linda Mwananchi convoy encountered blockades and stone-throwing in Homa Bay. The Wiper team held its first major rally in Ndhiwa, Homa Bay County, before proceeding to Sori in neighbouring Migori County. At both stops, the speakers launched scathing attacks on the Kenya Kwanza administration.
Mr Musyoka cited the rising cost of living, corruption, and unresolved security challenges as evidence of the government's failure to meet public expectations. He accused President Ruto of failing to honour economic promises made to the Lake Region, including the proposed construction of a local fish processing factory. The Wiper leader dismissed claims of a close political friendship between President Ruto and Odinga, arguing that the President's past remarks about the former Prime Minister told a different story.
Reflecting on his 15-year political alliance with Mr Odinga, Mr Musyoka alleged that their electoral victories had repeatedly been stolen, singling out the 2022 General Election. He credited his longstanding partnership with Mr Odinga with helping secure the establishment of devolved governments and the decentralisation of public funds. Mr Musyoka suggested that these achievements remained central to their shared political legacy.
Former Cabinet Secretary Raphael Tuju offered a sympathetic interpretation of the leaders who have thrown their weight behind the Kenya Kwanza administration. He argued that their decisions were driven less by ideological conviction than by economic hardship and the struggle to sustain their livelihoods. Mr Tuju said people are just looking for ways to put food on the table, and therefore, they cannot prevent them from doing what they are doing.
Key points
- Kalonzo Musyoka invokes Raila Odinga's legacy in Nyanza campaign
- Musyoka's convoy attacked in Migori, but vows to continue campaigns
- Musyoka criticizes Kenya Kwanza administration, cites rising cost of living and corruption
