Is Kalonzo right to be angry after being denied to address mourners during Raila’s state ceremony?
Wiper Patriotic Front Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has been in the limelight after missing out on making key speeches at close political allies’ funerals, the late President Mwai Kibaki and the late Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
In what has been expected, looking back at past relationships, several of Kalonzo’s supporters expected he would be given an opportunity to eulogise Raila Odinga during the State Funeral service owing to their close ties politically and in person.
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However, that did not come as expected since he did not get the chance to address mourners; he took on scoffing 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.
“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.
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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.
Worth noting, at the 2022 General Election, Kalonzo was one of the co-principals in the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition, with Raila as the flagbearer.
Kibaki’s state funeral
And as history repeats itself, this will also be remembered during the 2022 State Funeral service for the late President Mwai Kibaki, where, despite close ties with the then president serving as a vice president, he was still not given a chance to pay his tribute.
At the time, after the burial, Kalonzo came out publicly saying attending Kibaki’s burial was enough for him despite not having a chance to share memories they had serving as his vice president.
“I had the privilege to work with him as the Vice President for five years, and attending the burial was enough,” he said.
Kalonzo said that he was contented with attending the burial of his former boss, adding that it was not a must for him to speak.
“Let Mzee Mwai Kibaki rest in peace. Don’t make him a subject of debate about whether I was able to speak at his funeral,” he added.
His statement came after some politicians felt it was unfair and humiliating not to let him give a speech during the burial.
