Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen on Saturday condemned the heckling of Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka at the launch of Edwin Sifuna's Linda Mwananchi Movement, warning that the incident was a sign of rising political intolerance ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Speaking at a women's empowerment event at Ngiito in Amalo, Narok County, Murkomen also invited the former Vice President to join President William Ruto's broad-based government, saying his experience and diplomatic standing would be respected there.

'No agenda, no manifesto, no respect'

Kalonzo was repeatedly interrupted with chants of "President Sifuna" at Friday's launch in Nairobi after he cautioned that the opposition had not yet settled on a joint presidential candidate and that the movement's delegates were due to meet on November 13.

Murkomen said the treatment of the veteran politician exposed the movement's character. "Linda Mwananchi has no agenda, no manifesto, and now even no respect for fellow leaders," he said, according to Capital FM.

He warned that worse could follow. "You haven't seen a thing. These are masters of political intolerance and violence," the CS said, adding that the government was stepping up the fight against goonism and had put measures in place to ensure next year's election is peaceful, free and fair. He urged leaders across the political divide to be more tolerant.

Citizen Digital reported that Murkomen also told Kalonzo that if he believed Sifuna would support him, "ni uwongo" (it is a lie).

Kenya Kwanza leaders pile in

Other leaders allied to the President used weekend events to court Kalonzo and mock the opposition:

  • Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse described Kalonzo as a seasoned leader who deserves respect and urged him to work with Ruto.
  • UDA Treasurer Japheth Nyakundi questioned why a politician with more than 40 years in public life was being asked to bow to a much younger newcomer.
  • Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot challenged the opposition to name a single candidate, sarcastically asking whether it was waiting for a "Malaika" (angel).
  • Ruto's aide Farouk Kibet said the ruling side was confident of victory in 2027.
  • COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli, speaking at a burial in Vihiga, dismissed Sifuna's presidential bid, asking "huyu mtoto ametumwa na nani?" (who sent this child?).

Kalonzo's position

At the launch, Kalonzo had defended his own bid, saying Wiper delegates handed him a mandate to run for the presidency in October 2025, and asked Sifuna to "follow the proper procedure." He nonetheless pledged to back the Nairobi senator, or Rigathi Gachagua or Eugene Wamalwa, if any of them emerges as the opposition's flagbearer, saying the goal was to send Ruto home.

Sifuna had intervened during the heckling, asking his supporters to respect invited guests. The opposition is yet to agree on a single candidate, with the Linda Mwananchi delegates' convention set for November 13.

Photos: Raidarmax / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0); Capital FM. Thumbnail design: HAMASTA MEDIA.