Since former Prime Minister Raila Odinga declared his candidature for the Africa Union Commission on February 15, Kalonzo has gone flat out wooing the opposition bases with eyes on the 2027 Azimio ticket.
Kalonzo has previously faced criticism as a politician who only campaigns in his Eastern region, while expecting to appeal to the entire country.
In the last one month, the Wiper boss has been to at least nine counties and the Star has learnt that he will be moving to several other regions as part of his familiarisation plan with the electorate.
Head of Wiper communications team Paloma Gatabaki confirmed the former vice president will be traversing more counties in the coming weeks.
She however noted the schedule has not been confirmed yet.
In the last one month, Kalonzo has been to Kajiado, Meru,Tharaka Nithi Nakuru and Kiambu counties.
Early this week the Wiper leader pitched tent in Migori, Kisii and Nyamira.
He was accompanied by DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa during the three-day tour of Raila’s Nyanza bedrock.
The enhanced activities are however on a collision path with other Azimio principals who also are eyeing to be the Azimio flagbearer.
On Friday Karua, in what is now becoming a pattern, told off Kalonzo over utterances that he was the only suitable candidate to replace Raila.
"My unsolicited advice to my brother Kalonzo Musyoka is to focus on marketing himself and leave the decision of who is best to the voters," she said.
Narc Kenya boss was responding to remarks by her Wiper counterpart that he is the best replacement for Raila should the AU bid be successful.
Speaking on the last day of his Nyanza tour, Kalonzo told supporters that the exit of Raila will not split the opposition. He said Azimio will remain intact to continue fighting unjust government policies.
“Let our captain, our brother Raila Odinga, go and get the seat and we are all praying for him but that does not mean that Azimio will disintegrate,” he said.
“On the contrary, any split in Azimio will mean dashing the hopes and aspiration of Kenyans who want to see nothing but justice in their country.”
Eugene too called for a united opposition, noting the absence of Raila should not split the team. He exuded confidence that the opposition will weather storms that comes with transition and forge ahead to 2027 as a united entity.
“As Baba goes to AU he is our captain, when the captain leaves the pitch he just hands over the band to a team member and the match goes on,” the DAP-K boss said during a press conference in Kisii on Friday.
Accompanying the Azimio principals were Embakasi South MP Julius Mawathe and former lawmaker Ben Momanyi.
From Kisii, the team continued with the meet-the-people tour in Rongo, Migori county.
The two leaders faulted the government for making the lives of Kenyans difficult through introduction of new taxes.
“Education sector is in a mess, schools are closing anytime soon and the head teachers have not received the cash and instead we are seeing misappropriation of the same funds," Kalonzo said.
“How can MPs say they did not know what they passed in Parliament? We are saying if our MPs were captured then we reject these taxes,” Eugene added.
Raila, 79, is widely expected to hang his political boots, especially if his AUC chairmanship bid succeeds.
Kalonzo is among big shots in the former Prime Minister’s inner circle who are fighting behind-the-scenes to inherit his political bases.
The former VP, who has sacrificed his bid for 15 years, believes that 2027 is his best chance to be the joint Azimio candidate to face the incumbent President William Ruto.
The Wiper supremo has been Raila’s running mate twice: in 2013 and 2017, and was integral in the ODM leader's 2022 presidential campaign.
In what appears to be payback for the support, Raila has recently heaped praises on the Wiper leader describing him as mature politician who deserve backing for the top seat.
"Twice Kalonzo was on my side and our victory was stolen. He has been steadfast. Even in the last election, he was not given the mantle as the presidential candidate, but he stood with us," he said in Machakos early this year.
"I want to tell him [President] that one of us will face him in 2027... and I want him to know that we will stand with Musyoka to the end, his attempts to divide us will not succeed."
Analysts however observe that the looming exit of opposition chief Raila Odinga from the local political scene could be a blessing and a curse for Wiper boss.
They say that while Raila’s departure eliminates a major hurdle for Kalonzo, he may have lost a key campaigner who has previously been a kingmaker.
