Kalonzo breaks silence after missing a chance to speak at Raila’s memorial
Wiper Patriotic Front Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has scoffed at the organisers of the state funeral for Raila Odinga, saying the United opposition was sidelined during the ceremony.
Speaking on Friday, October 17, 2025, after the requiem mass of the late premier, Kalonzo said it was inconsiderate of the government to avoid recognising them despite having built a rich history together with Raila Odinga.
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“It is unfortunate because it is a state funeral; they should have recognised the official opposition to say something. That is what Raila Odinga would have wanted,” Kalonzo said.
He added that even the announcement by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki acknowledging their presence was barely audible.
“That is what Raila Odinga would have wished to happen. But you can see the way (DP) Kindiki tried to announce some of us, nobody could hear,” Kalonzo stated.
The Wiper boss is best remembered for being Raila’s running mate in the 2013 and 2017 general elections. They lost to former president Uhuru Kenyatta both times.
At the 2022 General Election, Kalonzo was one of the co-principals in the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition, with Raila the flagbearer.
Kalonzo was speaking after he cancelled his planned 10-day trip to the United Kingdom to attend Raila’s burial ceremony.
This comes even as Kenyans continue to raise eyebrows over the absence of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua in the event.
Many Kenyans who attended the requiem mass in Nyayo National Stadium carried national flags, portraits of the late leader, and wore T-shirts printed with his image to pay their final respects.
Security remained tight in and around the stadium, with police and military officers deployed to prevent a recurrence of the unrest witnessed on Thursday, October 16, 2025, during the body-viewing ceremony.
The presidents of Somalia and Ethiopia are among the regional leaders attending the funeral service at the Nyayo National Stadium.
As Raila’s body entered the stadium in a ceremonial military procession, mourners broke into chants, whistles, and songs.
They chanted Raila usilale, bado mapambano, a popular Swahili political slogan, which translates as “Raila, don’t sleep, the struggle is not over”.
