Kalonzo to Nyanza: I backed Raila for 15 years, it is your turn to give me your votes

He said the visions should not die alongside Odinga, adding that he is the only person who can actualise them, but only if elected Head of State.

The Wiper Patriotic Front party leader said he is in the presidential race and wants to address emerging issues like extrajudicial killings, which, according to him, are among the issues Odinga wanted to address.

Mr Musyoka aims to edge out President William Ruto alongside other opposition leaders — former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), Fred Matiang’i (Jubilee), Martha Karua of the People’s Liberation Party (PLP), Eugene Wamalwa, among others.

Mr Musyoka said he has solutions to some of the problems affecting Kenyans.

He added that he needs support from voters in Nyanza to enable him to address challenges he said were similar to Odinga's.

"The whole country is crying. It needs help. The alternative government, where I am with Gachagua, Fred Matiang’i, Eugene Wamalwa and JB Muturi, is in constant communication. Our goal is to liberate the country," the Wiper Patriotic Front party leader said.

Mr Musyoka announced that he is currently the party leader of Azimio la Umoja, where Odinga belonged in the last election.

Read: Ruto: I have no worthy opponent in the presidential race

"I stood by Raila for more than 15 years and know his vision, which includes the fight against corruption and the sale of public assets, besides the Adani deal, on which we had some differences. Now he is gone and I need to take over from him, and I need your support," he said.

Mr Musyoka explained that he is the only one who understands the vision that Odinga had.

"I cancelled my trip to London on the second day when Raila died. I took cattle to his home to condole with the family during mourning. We must, therefore, fulfil his dream. It should not die with him," the opposition leader said.

Dr Ruto has his eyes set on Nyanza as one of his support bases after a fallout with voters from Central Kenya.

The Head of State identified the region following the formation of the broad-based government.

His administration is currently undertaking multiple development projects in the Lake Region as the President woos voters to support him.

But Mr Musyoka watered down some of the promises that the Head of State has been giving voters in Nyanza.

Speaking when he attended a church service at Nyakongo Seventh-day Adventist Church in Rangwe, Homa Bay County, Mr Musyoka described the region as one of the poorest, saying Lake Victoria has not been fully tapped to help residents.

"Homa Bay has a population of 1.1 million, with fishing being a major economic activity. Despite the potential it has in the fishing sector, poverty levels are still high," he said.

The Kenya Kwanza administration is keen on tapping into the blue economy. The State is rehabilitating piers in the region alongside other projects meant to benefit fishermen.

Victims of police brutality

During his past trip to the region, Dr Ruto said the lake has employed thousands of people, with plans to develop the sector further.

According to Mr Musyoka, fishermen have not benefited from the lake.

"The region has some of the most beautiful beaches and islands that can be used for revenue generation. But they are of no benefit to the people, as they do not earn anything from them," he said.

Mr Musyoka said the best way to help the fishing community is to establish industries that can enable the region to export fish.

Dr Ruto has completed 110 units of affordable housing in Homa Bay and identifies it as one of his successful projects.

But the opposition leader said the project was implemented through heavy taxation and called on the government to undertake projects that benefit more people directly.

Read: Jimi Wanjigi accuses Nyanza leaders of betraying Raila’s legacy

According to Mr Musyoka, the government should not have prioritised the affordable housing project.

"People in Homa Bay are angry. They do not need affordable houses. They have their own homes. Youths are also jobless, with over 40 per cent of the population living below the poverty line. They cannot get Sh130 per day," the former Vice President said.

He accused ODM and UDA of delaying compensation for victims of police brutality, as stated in the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report, which he co-chaired. 

The Wiper leader noted that the 10-point agenda should have been implemented before March this year, saying families who lost their loved ones or those who were maimed should have been compensated by now.

"Up to 120 people were killed between 2023 and 2024. The church needs to pray for this country," Mr Musyoka said.

He used the opportunity to call on some ODM members to join the opposition, saying their political statements indicate that they are not supporting Dr Ruto.

He singled out the National Assembly Minority Leader Millie Odhiambo and Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang, describing them as courageous leaders who can speak against the government.

According to the Wiper leader, many politicians want to speak about the problems facing the country. He, however, said they remain silent for fear of victimisation.

"Many youths will come up and challenge the current leadership," he said.

Mr Musyoka argued that one of the reasons he wants to be president is because he has Kenyans at heart.

"If I was a bad person, I would have grabbed land when I was Vice President," he said.

Leaders at the event asked him to adopt the name "Baba," which was used to refer to Odinga.

Speakers said the spirit of Odinga is with the opposition leader and that he is best suited to become president.

Embakasi South MP Julius Mawathe said, "He is the Baba we have left after the death of Raila Odinga."

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