Kalonzo no show at Mashujaa Day celebrations in Kitui

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka during the funeral service of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in Bondo on October 19, 2025./PCS

Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka did not attend the national Mashujaa Day celebrations at Ithookwe Stadium in Kitui County on Monday, prompting sharp criticism from politicians and commentators.

The celebrations, presided over by President William Ruto, drew thousands of residents and dignitaries to the region, which serves as the political heartland of the Wiper leader. His absence, therefore, raised eyebrows among the assembled crowd.

Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei publicly condemned Kalonzo’s decision, accusing him of being unpatriotic and failing to honour a “national holiday to celebrate our national heroes”.

"Kalonzo skipping the Mashujaa Day national celebrations was unpatriotic to the country yet all Ukambani are attending in mammoth crowds. Thank you Kitui residents and Ukambani nation for warm and heroic reception to President Ruto and guests and hosting this national event to celebrate our national heroes," Cherargei said.

Cherargei asserted that while large numbers of people from Ukambani were present, the veteran leader had chosen not to appear.

Although Kalonzo did not attend, he issued a statement earlier in the day dedicating this year’s Mashujaa Day to the memory of the late Raila Odinga, describing him as “the embodiment of Kenya’s enduring spirit of resilience and sacrifice”. 

In a heartfelt message released on Monday morning, Kalonzo said Raila’s courage, determination, and sacrifices had elevated him to the ranks of Kenya’s greatest heroes.

“Today I join many Kenyans in dedicating this Mashujaa Day to my brother and dear friend who has taken his final bow, our second Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

Your sacrifices, Baba, will not be forgotten. You are and will always remain my hero, Kenya’s Shujaa,” Kalonzo wrote, capturing the mood of a nation still reeling from the loss of a towering political figure.

Traditionally observed on October 20, the holiday honours the freedom fighters who fought for independence and other men and women who have played a role in shaping the country.

This year, however, the atmosphere was colored by grief and remembrance as Raila’s name and legacy dominated public reflection.

Kalonzo described Raila as a man who defied adversity at every turn.

“Years of detention did not stop you. The torture chambers did not faze you. The agony of bungled and stolen elections did not crush you,” he said.

According to Kalonzo, Raila embodied true heroism not only in words but also through action, consistently standing up for justice and democracy regardless of personal cost.

The two leaders shared a political journey that spanned decades, often standing shoulder to shoulder in the push for reforms.

From the struggle for multiparty democracy in the 1990s to the fight for the 2010 Constitution and subsequent campaigns for good governance, Kalonzo and Raila were allies in shaping Kenya’s political trajectory.

Kalonzo emphasised that Raila’s enduring vision was for a Kenya where justice and equality were not privileges but rights for all citizens.

“Throughout your life, you dedicated yourself—mind, body, and soul—to the pursuit of a fair and just Kenya, where all, irrespective of their titles and ethnicity, would be accorded dignity and treated equally,” Kalonzo said in his message.

Raila Odinga, who died at the age of 80, was a central figure in Kenya’s democratic journey.

As the waves of criticism gathered, Kitui County hosted a lively celebration of national heroes, with gates opening early and large crowds filling the stadium ahead of the ceremony.

The absence of Kalonzo Musyoka, a senior figure from the region, at such a high-profile event has sparked debate over his political positioning and his commitment to regional representation in national functions.