By Anderson Ojwang
Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka on Wednesday made a strategic and calculated move to woo and win the Nyanza vote ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Kalonzo arrived at Kisumu Airport on Wednesday evening accompanied by political and religious leaders from Ukambani and spent a night in Kisumu. Upon his arrival, his team released a short video clip where he said, “You know I am here to see Mama Ida tomorrow, to continue mourning with them in honor of our brother.”
In a strategic move, before he left for Bondo, Kalonzo paid a courtesy call on Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o — another political move meant to send a coded message to the electorate.
Nyong’o was one of Raila’s key allies and acted as ODM Party Leader during Raila’s campaigns for the African Union Chairperson seat.
Nyong’o wrote on his X handle, “Today, I hosted Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka, Governors Mutula Kilonzo and Wavinya Ndeti and their team at City Hall. They visited to share their appreciation for my role in Kenya’s democratic journey before proceeding to Bondo to honor the late Raila Odinga and condole with Mama Ida.”
While Nyong’o was hosting Kalonzo in Kisumu, Siaya Governor James Orengo was in Bondo waiting to welcome Kalonzo to Raila’s graveyard at Kango ka Jaramogi.
A very powerful and high-voltage event, it could easily pass as a normal traditional mourning. Kalonzo drove 100 herds of cattle and assorted foodstuff to the family.
Orengo wrote on his X handle, “A true brother indeed! We were honored to host SK Musyoka, who joined us in remembering his brother and comrade Raila Odinga. Though Baba rests, his spirit still lives on among us. The fire of democracy, justice, and unity he lit continues to burn in the hearts of Kenyans. Together, they walked a long road shaping our nation’s democratic journey, and that legacy will forever endure.”
Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga put the icing on the cake by recognizing the friendship between Kalonzo and Raila and reassuring him that he will not walk alone.
Ruth said, “Your Excellency, I know the loss you have gone through — that was one of your best friends. The two of you really looked after Kenya. You can only be a warrior and choose a warrior you go with to war.
Why Raila Odinga used to go to war with Kalonzo Musyoka is because he knew he is a warrior he could go with to war.
And I know it is a lonely path, but do not worry. There is going to be another warrior who will come out. You will not be alone in this journey to ensure Kenya continues.
For me, even Azimio has not folded up. Or did you collapse it? Azimio is still alive. I want to say we still have Azimio as it was. We have Wiper as a party, and you can see it is going strong. I can assure you as Kenyans, ODM will remain strong, united, and one. ODM will go to any negotiating table as a strong, united party. We will not allow ourselves to be weakened. ODM is a party for the people, and it is not a cash party to be bought. We will take it back to the people and let the people decide.”
Embakasi South MP Julius Musili Mawathe, speaking in Dholuo, set the agenda by saying that back in Ukambani, they called Raila “Baba” and referred to Kalonzo as “Baba Mdogo.”
“We, as Wiper members, came to honor Baba. We were with him from 2013 up to his time of demise. In 2017, we called Raila Baba and referred to Kalonzo as our Baba Mdogo. Because Baba has left us but left behind Baba Mdogo, let nobody come here and lie to us. Let nobody misuse Baba’s name. Mama Ida, let’s sustain Raila’s legacy with politeness,” he said.
Orengo said that on three occasions Kalonzo had sacrificed his political ambition for Raila and termed him a principled politician in Kenya, like Raila Odinga.
“This guy has been a Vice President. Power must be controlled. If you see people running after power — state power — those are people who are going to destroy this country. I want to see anybody in Kenya who can say he loved Raila more than Kalonzo.
Let us not kill political parties. ODM, you should not allow the mistake of being swallowed,” he said.
Symbolically, Kalonzo bestowed the Kamba leadership on Raila’s son — a similar ceremony he conducted for the late enigma during the Cord campaigns in 2013.
Junior Raila thanked Kalonzo for making him a Kamba leader.
“Your Excellency, the leadership role you have bestowed on me today is a great honor, and I do not take it lightly. I will be coming to you later to have further discussions on how I can carry out my roles as Kamba leader, bestowed on me by you,” he said.
Mama Ida said Kalonzo was a sincere and faithful friend to Raila and the family.
“Your actions speak louder than words. I want to thank you for coming to mourn your brother. I told people that in politics there are no enemies. I will ask my brother Steve — that’s how Raila used to call him — carry the country and not just the Kamba. Today, you have demonstrated it. Because not all people who came here are Kambas,” she said.
The visit to Kango ka Jaramogi is likely to stir a new political dispensation in the country and the region.
