That he stood by Raila Odinga in his last three attempts at the presidency is a fact nobody can take away from Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka .
And on Thursday (November 6), he will be leading a delegation of over 500 people from Ukambani and his friends to Kang’o ka Jaramogi in Bondo, where they are expected to pay their last respect to the former Premier.
In Mr Musyoka’s delegation will be elected leaders from the WDF Party, elders from Ukambani and supporters.
According to organisers, the Wiper leader will take 100 head of cattle to Odinga's home in Opoda Farm and Kang'o ka Jaramogi, where the gravesite is.
Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka.
Photo credit: Francis Nderitu | Nation Media Group
At Kang'o, where the delegation will first visit, the elders from Ukambani will lead in carrying out the burial rites.
Last week, Mr Musyoka indicated that he would be leading a group to pay their last respects on Thursday.
“On Thursday, the family of Raila Odinga accepted our request to go visit them in Bondo, stand and mourn with them following their loss. We all understand that our brother had directed that he be buried within a short period, and therefore, we never got a chance to bid him. We have agreed that we do this to assure them that we still stand with them,” said Mr Musyoka.
The coffin of Kenya's former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who died while receiving medical treatment in India, lies in a grave surrounded by floral wreaths during his burial at the Kango Ka Jaramogi home in Bondo, Siaya County, Kenya, October 19, 2025.
Photo credit: Thomas Mukoya | Reuters
There had been reports that he would be accompanied by former Deputy President and Democracy for the Citizen’s Party Leader Rigathi Gachagua , but the party indicated that it would be a Wiper Party-only affair.
Ms Shakilla Abdallah, Wiper Democratic Front secretary-general, said among those who will accompany Mr Musyoka will include the party’s National Executive Council members, governors, Members of Parliament, Members of the County Assembly, elders and religious leaders.
According to her, the visit is significant owing to the relationship Odinga’s Wiper had with the Orange Democratic Movement Party.
“My Party leaders and the delegation he is leading are simply coming to pay their respects to a leader we worked closely with. It is important due to the rich history our two leaders and parties have,” said Ms Abdallah.
She stated that they were once in the same party, serving as founder members of ODM.
From Kisumu to Bondo, Mr Musyoka's convoy will snake its way through Kisumu-Bondo Road in what some perceive to be an attempt to illustrate his political might in a region that rallied behind his friend, ally and former co-principal in various coalitions.
According to the Wiper official, Mr Musyoka and Odinga have been close for many years and remained so even in the wake of the broad-based government that placed them on opposite sides of the political table.
Azimio leader Raila Odinga with Wiper chief Kalonzo Musyoka during a rally at Kamukunji grounds on January 23, 2023.
Photo credit: Diana Ngila | Nation Media Group
Mr Musyoka’s expected grand visit to Odinga’s grave site, which is laced with political undertones, as he seeks to inherit the supporters of an individual he sacrificed his presidential ambitions for.
To some pundits, it has reached a point where if you haven’t visited Odinga’s gravesite at Kang’o ka Jaramogi, a politician’s loyalty to the former ODM leader remains questioned, and therefore, they may not have the blessings from him to inherit his supporters.
For Mr Musyoka, it is not only a time for mourning and paying the last respects. It is the final act and display of loyalty to Odinga, even in death, as he seeks to adopt the ‘Raila orphans and supporters’.
“Raila and Kalonzo maintained contact even before Mr Odinga’s death because his loyalty has been tested and proven by various political players; this is why he is considered the most deserving to be supported by ODM and other leaders,” said Ms Abdallah.
Ms Abdallah said, despite Odinga’s choice of the broad-based government, “Mr Musyoka asked us to maintain the respect we have for him as our Father.”
Odinga always spoke highly of Mr Musyoka, who stood by him three times when he contested for the presidency but lost.
United Opposition leaders, led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua (center), DAP-K Party leader Eugene Wamalwa (left) and Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka (right), address the media at SKM command center in Nairobi on November 3, 2025.
Photo credit: Lucy Wanjiru | Nation Media Group
Mr Musyoka has been Mr Odinga’s running mate twice in 2013 and 2017, and supported the former ODM leader when he settled on then Narc-Kenya leader Martha Karua as his choice for running mate in the last polls.
“My Party leader (Kalonzo) has always put the interests of the country before everything because he has always endeavoured to be on the right side of history, thus his support for Baba Raila,” she said.
This time, Mr Musyoka has positioned himself as the most suitable presidential candidate in the united opposition, owing to his experience, age and the national outlook and appeal he has ahead of the other members of the pack.
Others are former Cabinet Secretary for Interior Dr Fred Matiang’i of Jubilee, Mr Gachagua, Ms Karua, Democratic Party’s Justin Muturi , Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, and Democratic Action Party of Kenya’s Eugene Wamalwa.
All these people, except Mr Gachagua, have visited Mr Odinga’s grave after he was buried.
Therefore, Mr Musyoka’s visit to Mr Odinga’s stronghold of Bondo is key for his image, since even in his death, Mr Odinga continued to shape Kenya's political discourse.
It is not clear whether Mr Musyoka will make some stopovers and address crowds in Bondo. The organisers revealed that he may not stop to greet the people of Bondo as a sign of respect to the Odinga family during this mourning period.
