Kalonzo denies opposition division claims, says leaders working as one team

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka addresses the Press at Kisumu International Airport ahead of Migori and Homa Bay counties tour on November 5, 2026. [Rodgers Otiso, Standard]

Wiper Patriotic Front Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has dismissed claims of divisions within the opposition, insisting that the leaders are united and strategising to cover different parts of the country simultaneously.

Kalonzo said apparent differences of opinion among opposition figures should not be mistaken for disunity, maintaining that they remained one team with a common objective of building a strong political alternative ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Speaking at Kisumu International Airport on Thursday, shortly after arriving for the Nyanza tour, the Wiper leader revealed that the opposition was deliberately engaging different parts of the country as the leaders position themselves for the 2027 political contest.

“I want to assure the country that the Super Alliance is in the making, and we are one team. Sometimes we may seemingly not agree on one thing, but that is our strategy. Do not ask us; we are okay. We need to cover the country at the same time,” he said.

He said consultations were ongoing to bring together like-minded leaders from different political formations, and expressed confidence that more opposition figures would join the emerging alliance.

Kalonzo was accompanied by Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa, former Cabinet Secretary Raphael Tuju and other Wiper leaders as he began a tour of Migori and Homa Bay counties.

He said the coalition-building process was still underway, with leaders from the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), the Linda Mwananchi faction and former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i expected to join the initiative.

“We are preparing ourselves, and our friends will join us. That is what we hope for. Our brothers from DCP and our friend Matiang’i will join us. We are also hoping that our other friends from DCP and Linda Mwananchi will come on board,” he said.

The Wiper leader said the opposition was focused on strengthening its political networks across the country, and apparent differences in their public engagements should not be interpreted as a lack of cooperation.

He also conveyed greetings from Siaya Governor James Orengo, whom he met on Wednesday, describing him as a friend and brother and expressed hope that he would join the planned political engagements.

Kalonzo's visit to Kisumu comes weeks after he joined other leaders in Bondo, Siaya County, to commemorate the first anniversary of the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

He said the earlier visit was intended to honour Raila's legacy before returning to the region for wider political engagements.

Describing Luo Nyanza as his second political home, the Wiper leader said he felt welcomed and was pleased to reconnect with residents, whom he credited with playing a significant role in Kenya's democratic struggle.

He said during the Nyanza tour he hopes to engage residents and local leaders on the country's political direction.

Kalonzo also announced plans to visit Canaan, an initiative associated with the late Raila Odinga, saying it remained part of his agenda as opposition leaders seek to advance the former Prime Minister's political aspirations.

He criticised the Kenya Kwanza administration over handling of key sectors, including health, education and taxation, arguing that the country needed an alternative political direction.

The Wiper leader further claimed that members of the Luo Council of Elders in Kisumu, who were expected to welcome him, had been threatened against doing so. However, he said the alleged intimidation would not stop him from visiting the region and engaging residents.

Wamalwa backed the opposition's push for unity, saying political leaders should be free to visit different parts of the country and engage residents without intimidation.

He said Nyanza had made significant contributions to Kenya's democratic journey through the sacrifices of the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga and Raila Odinga, who championed fundamental freedoms.

Wamalwa warned against growing political intolerance, citing an incident in Nandi County on Wednesday, where he claimed some residents had been threatened with eviction for failing to support President William Ruto's re-election bid.

He said such threats were dangerous to democracy and called on political leaders to respect the rights of Kenyans to hold divergent political views.

“What we had just yesterday in Nandi, people are saying that if you are not supporting Ruto or saying two terms, you need to move out from where you stay. We do not want that kind of political intolerance. Political intolerance is a threat to our democracy,” Wamalwa said.

He said the people of Nyanza should uphold the democratic values championed by Raila by allowing leaders from different political formations to visit the region and sell their policies freely.

“The people of Nyanza will be an example of what Raila stood for, to give freedom to every Kenyan to come to every corner of the country and sell their policies,” he said.

Nyali MP Mohamed Ali said the opposition needed to unite and pursue the political aspirations championed by Raila.

Ali was optimistic that Kalonzo, who had a close political relationship with Raila, could help advance the former Prime Minister's vision.

He disclosed that he had previously been associated with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) but quit after dissatisfaction with its direction.

Ali urged Kenyans to support the efforts by the opposition to build a united political front.