Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka is set to begin a two-day tour of South Nyanza as he seeks to expand his political support in a region that overwhelmingly backed former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. Mr Musyoka's tour will kick off in Migori County, where he will address public meetings in Ntimaru and Kehancha in Kuria East and Kuria West constituencies, respectively. His motorcade will then make its way to Migori town, where he will conclude the first day with a rally at the iconic Posta Grounds.
On the second day of his tour, Mr Musyoka will visit the mausoleum of independence hero Tom Mboya on Rusinga Island in Homa Bay County. He will later address rallies in Oyugis town, Kasipul Constituency, and Kendu Bay in Karachuonyo Constituency. The tour comes against the backdrop of growing divisions within the opposition following the heckling of Mr Musyoka during the launch of the Linda Mwananchi Movement party secretariat and the unveiling of its officials last Friday.
The incident triggered protests from Mr Musyoka's allies, who threatened to reconsider their position in the opposition if the Wiper leader continued to be disrespected. They have maintained that he is the opposition's strongest candidate to challenge President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election. Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo expressed confidence that Mr Musyoka would receive a warm welcome during the tour, citing his familiarity with the region and his past relationship with Mr Odinga.
Senator Maanzo, who was part of a delegation that visited ODM party leader Dr Oburu Oginga at his Nairobi home, said Mr Musyoka's relationship with the late Mr Odinga would work in his favour. Mr Musyoka served as Mr Odinga's running mate in the 2013 and 2017 elections and was part of the Azimio la Umoja coalition that backed Mr Odinga's presidential bid in 2022.
However, Mr Musyoka and Mr Odinga had a bitter falling-out ahead of the 2007 General Election after disagreeing over who should carry the Orange Democratic Movement presidential ticket. Mr Musyoka was last in Nyanza on October 15, when he attended the first anniversary memorial of Mr Odinga at Migwena Grounds, where he urged the region to rally behind the opposition in its efforts to remove President Ruto from power.
Kitui MP Makali Mulu said the heckling incident at a recent event had strengthened sympathy for Mr Musyoka in Nyanza, arguing that residents appreciated his loyalty to Mr Odinga. Mr Mulu said Wiper leaders would now focus on Mr Musyoka's vote-hunting mission to boost his national popularity, maintaining that the former Mwingi North MP was the best candidate to challenge President Ruto in 2027.
The tour is seen as a strategic move by Mr Musyoka to strengthen his base in Nyanza and boost his presidential ambitions. With his allies rallying behind him, Mr Musyoka is expected to face stiff competition from other opposition leaders in the region. The outcome of the tour will likely have significant implications for the 2027 General Election.
Key points
- Kalonzo Musyoka begins a two-day tour of South Nyanza to expand his political support in the region.
- The tour comes amid growing divisions within the opposition following a recent heckling incident involving Mr Musyoka.
- Mr Musyoka's relationship with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and his loyalty to the opposition are expected to work in his favour during the tour.
