Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has described his visit to Bondo as a personal and symbolic tribute to the late Raila Amollo Odinga, whom he hailed as “the father of maandamano” and a central figure in Kenya’s fight for democracy.
Addressing the media in Kisumu ahead of his visit, Kalonzo said his choice of attire was deliberate, representing both respect and remembrance for his late political ally.
“I am dressed this way because I have come to mourn my late brother Raila Amollo Odinga, with whom we went to the trenches to build a just and democratic nation,” he said. “Raila was the father of maandamano a man who stood firm against bad governance. Kenyans are still continuing that resistance.”
The Wiper leader reminisced about their shared struggles for good governance and justice, noting that Odinga’s legacy remains deeply embedded in Kenya’s democratic fabric.
Political Undertones in Visits to Raila’s Bondo Home
Kalonzo’s visit follows growing speculation about the political significance of recent pilgrimages to Raila Odinga’s Bondo home.
According to Peter Mbae, the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) Secretary for Planning and Economic Affairs, these visits are not purely acts of condolence but strategic moves by politicians positioning themselves for the post-Odinga political era.
Speaking on a local television station, Mbae noted that Raila’s influence continues to shape Kenya’s political discourse, even in death.
“It’s been three weeks since his passing, yet people still feel his absence deeply,” he said. “You cannot separate Baba from politics visiting his grave carries meaning, both emotional and political.”
Mbae pointed out that while some leaders visit out of genuine friendship or loyalty, others appear to be signalling political intent.
He referenced Martha Karua’s recent visit and Kalonzo Musyoka’s trip to Bondo, describing both as laden with political undertones.
“Martha Karua’s visit wasn’t just to pay respects it was a political statement,” Mbae said. “As Raila’s 2022 running mate, her presence carried weight.”
Kalonzo’s Growing Influence in the Post-Raila Era
Mbae added that Kalonzo’s speech during Raila’s burial struck a chord with many of Odinga’s supporters, drawing cheers and nostalgia from the crowd.
“Kalonzo was warmly received because people remember his loyalty in 2013 and 2017,” Mbae noted. “He may have faced setbacks in 2022, but now he’s positioning himself as the natural heir to Raila’s political legacy the torchbearer of ODM and the Azimio movement.”
As the nation continues to mourn the late Raila Odinga, analysts suggest that Bondo has become both a place of remembrance and a stage for political realignment, with Kenya’s opposition landscape quietly reshaping itself in his absence.
