Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka touched down in the country early on Friday morning, appearing devastated and still trying to believe the death of a man he’s described as both a political friend and personal acquaintance Raila Odinga.
Kalonzo was on a official trip to the UK but cut the visit short upon learning of the sudden death of Raila.
Speaking to the press at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport shortly after arrival, he admitted that the fact of Raila’s death had not fully registered.
“It still doesn’t feel real,” he told reporters. “This is someone I’ve known for years. We’ve fought politics together, stood shoulder to shoulder and now he’s gone.”
Kalonzo was met at the airport by a few Wiper leaders, including Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti, Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr., Kitui Senator Enock Kiio Wambua, and Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo.
He will then be joining the rest of the country at Nyayo Stadium for Raila’s State Funeral, a day that is already shaping up to be one of national mourning.
Kalonzo was also slated for a 10-day visit to the UK, where he would speak at the London Political Summit, deliver a lecture at Oxford University, and hold discussions at Chatham House and the Commonwealth Secretariat. That schedule was set aside the moment the news came.
“I had to come home,” he said simply.
His relationship with Raila has stretched for decades a friendship that has been marked by competition as well as close alliance. In 2007, they separated politically, with each side taking their camps along. But in 2013 and again in 2017, Kalonzo stuck with Raila as his running mate, first in CORD and then NASA. Although those elections did not go their way, the union held.
In 2022, Kalonzo briefly flirted with a solo presidential bid but once more rallied behind Raila, this time in the Azimio la Umoja alliance.
Their political journey has mirrored Kenya’s own full of twists high hopes, disappointments, and resilience. Along the way, Kalonzo testifies, Raila has cut the figure of a colossus.
“He was not an ordinary politician. He was a family member, this is not a loss for me alone, but for the entire nation.”Kalonzo said.