Kalonzo woos Raila backyard as he steps up efforts to fill Raila's big shoes

Azimio Leaders Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka. [Dennis Kavisu, Standard]

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka is on a tour of ODM leader Raila Odinga’s Nyanza backyard to sell his party.

The Azimio co-principal on Wednesday urged Nyanza residents to register as Wiper members and continue supporting the opposition in the quest to challenge the government’s excesses.

“As Azimio we will stand with Kenyans. Even if Raila is going to Addis Ababa, we shall stand together with Kenyans,” said Kalonzo when he opened a party office at Kehancha in Kuria West, Migori, during his three-day tour to the region.

Kalonzo, who also addressed crowds in Migori and Rongo towns, said Azimio would rally behind Kenyans during these hard economic times.

He criticised President William Ruto’s regime and hinted at a possible return of protests over the high cost of living and taxation, citing the new Housing Act.

According to the Wiper leader, the law is adding more burden to Kenyans who are already pressed with taxes. “If he insists, we will cut down the tree and force him to come down,” he said.

His co-principal Eugene Wamalwa said Kenya Kwanza lied to Kenyans. “When looking for votes they vowed that after 100 days the cost of living would go down. Now it has come from bottom to up,” he said.

According to Wamalwa, President Ruto had his priorities wrong. “We shall continue opposing the Kenya Kwanza government until it brings down taxes. He is doubling the State House budget yet they cannot pay doctors.”

Also present were Kitui Senator and Woman Rep Enoch Wambua and Irene Kasalu, Machakos Senator Agnes Kavindu, MPs Ben Momanyi (Borabu), Innocent Obiri (Bobasi) and Stephen Mule of Matunguru, among others.

The leaders said they were united to save Kenyans. “Since parliament has failed, we want to get this from the people. The person who will guide us in that path we want it to be Kalonzo Musyoka,” Mule said.

Kalonzo will also tour Kisii, Nyamira and Homa Bay.