Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka is taking his 2027 presidential campaign into the heart of Luo Nyanza. He has scheduled a two-day "Ukombozi Tour" of Migori and Homa Bay counties on Thursday and Friday.

The former Vice-President is challenging President William Ruto. He hopes to win support in the region long dominated by the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, whom he backed in three presidential elections, twice as his running mate.

"Migori and Homa Bay, are you ready? The Ukombozi Tour is coming! Tukutane ground," his campaign said in a notice, as quoted by The Star.

The itinerary

According to the announced programme, the tour runs as follows:

  • Thursday, November 5 (Migori): Ntimaru in Kuria at noon, Kehancha at 2pm, then the main rally at Posta Grounds in Migori town at 4pm
  • Friday, November 6 (Homa Bay): the Tom Mboya Mausoleum at 9.30am, Oyugis town at 1pm, then an afternoon stop at Kendu Bay

Uzalendo News, which carried Wiper's earlier announcement, gave the last Homa Bay stop as Homa Bay town. The final venue may be confirmed closer to the day.

'It can't be possible'

The tour comes as some Luo Nyanza leaders urge Kalonzo to join Ruto's broad-based government. Treasury CS John Mbadi has been among them. Kalonzo has rejected the idea. "You don't expect Kalonzo Musyoka to go to the government. It can't be possible," he said on Sunday.

Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, ODM's national chairperson, recently said she was shocked that Kalonzo had been heckled at the launch of the Linda Mwananchi Movement headquarters in Nairobi on October 30. The incident started a debate over who should lead the opposition into 2027.

Kalonzo has said that chaos at a recent Linda Mwananchi event in Homa Bay does not reflect the character of Luo Nyanza voters. He has also claimed he can beat Ruto in the region if the opposition names him its flagbearer.

Opposition still without a candidate

The united opposition has not settled on a joint presidential candidate. Pressure inside Kalonzo's own camp is growing. This week, Wiper leaders at the Coast threatened to leave the coalition unless he is named flagbearer.

Kalonzo has also been travelling widely, including to Busia and Siaya in September. The Nyanza tour is a test of whether his years beside Raila will bring him votes in ODM's former heartland, where ODM, Linda Mwananchi and Ruto's allies are all competing for support.

Photos: The Star (File); Wycondi/Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0). Thumbnail design: HAMASTA MEDIA.