Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka will this weekend make a fresh push into Nyanza and Western Kenya, taking his presidential campaign to two regions that have traditionally been associated with the late Raila Odinga, as President William Ruto intensifies efforts to build a new political base there.

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Mr Musyoka is scheduled to make stopovers in Bumala and Nambale in Busia County on Saturday before travelling to Bondo, Siaya County on Sunday where he will attend a church service at St Michael’s All Angels Cathedral and later conduct a meet-the-people tour.

The two-day itinerary places Mr Musyoka in the heart of the political territory that for years formed the backbone of Mr Odinga’s opposition politics.

It also comes barely days after President Ruto completed an extensive five-day tour of Nyanza, following his recent engagements in Busia, in a sustained effort to deepen his political presence in the region.

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Mr Musyoka’s trip is therefore key to his 2027 presidential bid as he seeks to establish his own relationship with voters who supported Mr Odinga through successive election cycles.

The Wiper leader has worked closely with Mr Odinga in the last three presidential elections — serving as his running mate in 2013 and 2017, and supporting his 2022 presidential bid after being considered for a senior position in an Azimio government.

In 2022, Mr Odinga named Mr Musyoka as Chief Cabinet Secretary-designate in his proposed government after selecting People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua as his running mate.

Yet despite that long political association, Mr Musyoka has faced the challenge of translating his partnership with Mr Odinga into an independent political foothold in Nyanza and Western Kenya.

That challenge has become more urgent following Mr Odinga’s death and the subsequent political realignment around his former allies and the Kenya Kwanza administration.

The Wiper leader’s visit to Bondo — Mr Odinga’s home constituency, analysts say — will consequently carry political symbolism beyond the listed church and public engagements.

📰 Source: Nation Africa