Murkomen condemns heckling of Kalonzo at Sifuna’s party launch, invites him to join government

NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 31 – Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has criticised supporters of the Linda Mwananchi Movement for heckling Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka during the launch of the movement’s headquarters in Nairobi, calling the incident evidence of growing political intolerance.

Murkomen said the treatment of the former Vice President raised concerns about how political supporters would conduct themselves as the country heads towards the 2027 General Election.

He also extended an invitation to Kalonzo to join the broad-based government, saying his leadership experience and diplomatic credentials would be accorded respect.

“Linda Mwananchi has no agenda, no manifesto, and now even no respect for fellow leaders,” Murkomen said.

The CS spoke on Saturday during a women empowerment event at Ngiito in Amalo, Narok Sub-County, where he condemned the disruption of Kalonzo’s address at Friday’s launch.

The Wiper leader was heckled after questioning the premature endorsement of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna as the opposition’s presidential candidate, triggering chants of “President Sifuna” from sections of the audience.

The disruption began when Kalonzo took issue with remarks by Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa, who had referred to Sifuna as a presidential candidate.

Kalonzo argued that the opposition had yet to conclude consultations and formal procedures for selecting a joint presidential flagbearer, reminding supporters that Linda Mwananchi was expected to hold its National Delegates Convention on November 13.

“In fact, my brother Eugene has jumped the gun. He has declared you a presidential candidate. Let me tell you, legally, because you’re a lawyer, you have to wait for the 13th of November,” Kalonzo said.

His remarks triggered chants of “Sifuna President” from sections of the crowd, with supporters repeatedly interrupting his address.

At one point, an apparently frustrated Kalonzo challenged the audience, asking: “Do you want me to speak? Or should I stop?”

Sifuna was forced to intervene, appealing to his supporters to respect the guests who had attended the launch and allow the former Vice President to finish his speech.

“This is no way to treat our guests. Just let us listen to them. We have been honoured by their presence,” Sifuna told the crowd.

Kalonzo subsequently defended his position, saying he had received a mandate to pursue the presidency during a Wiper delegates’ conference on October 10, 2025, and urged the movement to respect established procedures.

“I want my younger brother to follow the proper procedure. Nothing else,” he said.

He, however, pledged to support Sifuna should the Nairobi Senator emerge as the opposition’s preferred presidential candidate, insisting that defeating President William Ruto would require collective effort rather than individual political ambitions.

“I will stand with you if I’m not the candidate. If I am not the candidate, my ambition will be to make sure the misrule by broad-based goes home with Ruto. I will also rally my supporters behind Sifuna,” Kalonzo said.

He also declared his willingness to support former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua or Wamalwa if either secured the opposition ticket, calling for unity to achieve the constitutional requirement of 50 per cent plus one vote in a presidential election. The Standard+2

Murkomen warned that the incident could be an indication of more confrontational politics as the country approaches the next General Election.

“You haven’t seen a thing. These are masters of political intolerance and violence,” he said.

The Interior CS further called on politicians across the political divide to discourage hostility among their supporters, saying the government was stepping up efforts to combat political goonism.

“As the Government steps up the fight against goonism, I urge all leaders across the divide to be more tolerant,” he said.

He added that the government had put measures in place to ensure the 2027 General Election is peaceful, free and fair.

Murkomen’s remarks come amid growing political realignments within the opposition, with emerging factions seeking to consolidate support and position themselves ahead of the 2027 polls.