Kalonzo seeks Nyanza support, promises to fulfill Raila's vision

Kalonzo recalls standing with Raila in three presidential contests, twice as his running mate, and now says he is best placed to carry forward the late ODM leader's vision. He also condemned Thursday's attack on his convoy in Migori, blaming rising political intolerance.

Kalonzo took his charm offensive to Homa Bay, seeking to consolidate support in a region long considered an ODM stronghold.

He appealed to Nyanza voters to return the favour, reminding them of his unwavering support for Raila's presidential bids, including twice serving as his running mate.

Kalonzo said he was committed to ensuring Raila's vision was fulfilled.

“Nataka niwahakikishie yale maono ya Baba. Hakuna mtu atakayekamilisha, ni mimi nitahakikisha kila kitu kinafanyika,” Kalonzo said.

DAP-K party leader Eugene Wamalwa described Kalonzo as Raila's closest political ally.

“Hakuna aliyekuwa rafiki mkubwa wa chanda na pete kama Kalonzo Musyoka,” Wamalwa said.

Democratic Party leader Justin Muturi also recalled Raila's remarks about Kalonzo's political experience.

“Anataka kusema tu Kalonzo ni mtu wa rika yake. Baba ametuambia Kalonzo amemshinda mara kumi,” Muturi said.

Kalonzo also urged Nyanza residents to reject President William Ruto and rally behind the opposition, accusing the government of presiding over police brutality and violence that has claimed lives.

He questioned whether voters had forgotten the political exchanges between Ruto and Raila during their rivalry.

“Hakuna majina Ruto hakuita Baba, mganga, mtu wa kitendawili. Mnaweza kusahau kweli? Ni nani alisimama na Baba miaka yote hiyo?” Kalonzo posed.

Nyali MP Mohammed Ali also weighed in on the political tensions within ODM, demanding accountability over the death of Albert Ojwang.

The leaders further condemned Thursday's attack on the Wiper convoy in Migori, warning that political intolerance was increasingly threatening democracy and security.

Kalonzo criticised those he accused of using young people to intimidate political opponents.

Meanwhile, the Linda Mwananchi movement accused the government of weaponising violence to silence dissenting political voices.

In a statement, the movement claimed that President Ruto and his allies were using violence to block alternative political voices in an attempt to create a UDA-ODM echo chamber in the Nyanza region.

“Ruto and his regime continue to use violence to block other political voices, in a vain attempt to create a UDA-ODM echo chamber in that region,” the statement read.