Kalonzo Musyoka, leader of the Wiper Patriotic Front, has announced he will not attend the official memorial for former Prime Minister Raila Odinga on October 15. The event is to be held in Bondo, Kenya. Kalonzo accused President William Ruto’s administration and its political allies of exploiting Odinga’s legacy for political gain.
In a speech to supporters in Siaya County on September 27, 2026, Kalonzo stated he would honor Odinga privately in Bondo. He criticized what he described as state hypocrisy, suggesting that Ruto’s government is using Odinga’s memory to bolster its own political standing.
Kalonzo’s decision comes amid heightened political tensions in Kenya. Odinga, a key opposition figure, died in August 2026, sparking nationwide mourning. His death led to a series of public events, including a national memorial. Kalonzo’s boycott adds to the political discourse surrounding the use of public figures’ legacies in electoral politics.
The move has drawn mixed reactions from political analysts. Some see it as a strategic move to distance from the ruling party, while others view it as a reflection of deepening divisions within Kenya’s political landscape.
