Murkomen condemned the disruption of Kalonzo Musyoka’s address at the Linda Mwananchi headquarters launch.
The Interior CS urges political tolerance after supporters interrupted Kalonzo over the opposition’s presidential candidate selection.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has condemned the Kalonzo heckling at the Linda Mwananchi Movement’s headquarters launch in Nairobi. He also invited the Wiper leader to join the broad-based government.
Speaking on Saturday at a women empowerment event in Ngiito, Amalo, Narok Sub-County, Murkomen criticised the supporters’ conduct. He said the government would respect Kalonzo Musyoka’s leadership experience and diplomatic credentials.
The disruption occurred on Friday after Kalonzo challenged an early endorsement of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s presidential candidacy. Murkomen said the incident raised concerns about political tolerance ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Kalonzo heckling follows dispute over presidential endorsement
Kalonzo took issue with Democratic Action Party of Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa’s description of Sifuna as a presidential candidate. He argued that opposition leaders had yet to complete consultations and formal procedures for choosing a joint flagbearer.
He also reminded supporters that Linda Mwananchi expected to hold its National Delegates Convention on November 13. However, sections of the audience interrupted his address with chants backing Sifuna for president.
As the interruptions continued, Kalonzo challenged the crowd over whether it wanted him to finish speaking. Sifuna then intervened, urging supporters to respect their guests and allow the former Vice President to continue.
Kalonzo subsequently defended his position, citing his own mandate to pursue the presidency. Wiper delegates had endorsed that bid at a conference on October 10, 2025.
Opposition unity and calls for political tolerance
Despite the disruption, Kalonzo pledged to support Sifuna if the senator secured the opposition’s presidential ticket. He also expressed willingness to back former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua or Wamalwa if either won the nomination.
Kalonzo said defeating President William Ruto required collective effort rather than individual ambition. He therefore urged opposition unity to secure the constitutional threshold of 50 per cent plus one vote.
Meanwhile, Murkomen accused Linda Mwananchi of lacking an agenda, a manifesto and respect for other leaders. He warned that the confrontation could signal increasingly hostile politics before the next election.
The Interior CS also urged politicians across the political divide to discourage hostility among their supporters. He said the government was intensifying efforts against political goonism and had introduced measures for peaceful, free and fair elections in 2027.
