By Vincent Manaal
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka on Sunday resorted to an old audio clip of the late Raila Odinga as he sought to connect with residents during his low-key political tour of Bondo, Siaya County.
Kalonzo played a 2022 recording in which Raila is heard praising him as a steadfast political ally who had stood with him through thick and thin, in a move that appeared aimed at rekindling memories of their long political partnership.
The recording was played as Kalonzo addressed a gathering in Bondo, Raila’s political backyard, where he has intensified efforts to sell his opposition message and establish his own relationship with the region following the former Prime Minister’s death.
The Wiper leader’s use of the old recording underlined the challenge facing him as he seeks to turn his history with Raila into a fresh political relationship with voters in the region.
The Wiper leader has repeatedly invoked his more than a decade-long association with Raila, including their joint presidential campaigns, as he seeks to appeal to voters who had traditionally rallied behind the late opposition chief.
Sunday’s Bondo tour came amid Kalonzo’s wider push to market the rebranded Ukombozi Alliance in Nyanza and Western Kenya.
He attended a church service at St Michael’s All Angels Cathedral before proceeding with his meet-the-people engagements.
The gathering, however, appeared subdued compared with the huge political rallies that characterised Raila’s appearances in the region, with Kalonzo’s delegation largely comprising his Ukambani political allies.
Former Rarieda MP Raphael Tuju was among the notable figures accompanying Kalonzo at the church service.
Tuju has not indicated any interest in seeking elective office, although he urged Nyanza residents to embrace Kalonzo and recalled their long political association.
Kalonzo has made Raila’s legacy a central feature of his Nyanza campaign, telling residents that he stood with the former Prime Minister through three presidential election cycles because he believed in his message.
