Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka was forced to cut short his speech after being booed by supporters of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna during the launch of the Linda Mwananchi Movement headquarters in Lavington, Nairobi, on Friday, October 30.
The incident exposed fresh tensions within the opposition as leaders seek to unite ahead of the 2027 General Election, with sections of the crowd repeatedly chanting “President Sifuna” while Kalonzo addressed the gathering.
At one point, the former Vice President appeared frustrated by the interruptions and questioned whether he should continue speaking or leave the event.
“Do you want me to speak? Or should I leave?” Kalonzo asked.
The Wiper leader’s remarks came after he cautioned Sifuna’s supporters against rushing the process of choosing the opposition’s presidential candidate.
Kalonzo said Sifuna could not yet be declared the movement’s presidential candidate, arguing that the decision should follow the party’s internal procedures and consultations.
“My brother Eugene has jumped the gun. He has declared you a presidential candidate. Let me tell you, legally, because you’re a lawyer, you have to wait for the 13th of November,” he said.
He was referring to the planned National Delegates Convention (NDC), which is expected to finalise changes to the party’s leadership and structures following the rebranding of The Equitable Party into Linda Mwananchi.
The remarks appeared to anger some supporters, who continued chanting Sifuna’s name as Kalonzo struggled to complete his address.
Sifuna was forced to intervene, asking the crowd to respect the guests who had attended the launch.
“This is not a way to treat our guests. Just let us listen to them. We have been honoured by their presence,” the Nairobi senator told the supporters.
Kalonzo eventually ended his address, telling the crowd: “You don’t want to listen. You just want President Sifuna. God bless you.”
He later returned to the stage after other leaders had spoken and introduced members of his Wiper delegation.
Kalonzo speaks on opposition unity
Despite the hostile reception, Kalonzo said he was willing to support Sifuna if the senator emerged as the opposition’s presidential candidate.
“I will stand with you if I’m not the candidate,” he said, while also identifying Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa as another possible candidate he would support.
Kalonzo reminded the gathering that he had received a mandate to pursue the presidency during a Wiper delegates’ conference held on October 10, 2025.
He insisted that the opposition needed consultations and sacrifices from its leaders if it was to mount a serious challenge against President William Ruto in 2027.
The launch brought together several opposition figures, including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Wamalwa, Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi and Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya.
Sifuna’s movement is seeking to establish a national political structure, with plans to open offices across all 47 counties by December 2026.
The November 13 delegates’ convention is expected to be a key step in completing the party’s reorganisation and determining its leadership arrangements.
However, Friday’s confrontation raised questions about whether the opposition leaders and their supporters can agree on a common presidential candidate without divisions over individual ambitions.
While the leaders have publicly spoken about working together, the reaction to Kalonzo’s remarks showed the challenge they face in managing competing political interests ahead of the next election.
