Kalonzo Rallies Tana River, Defends Mukunji in Kindiki Attack Row

Story by Evans Mutinda

Wiper Patriotic Front and Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party leader Dr Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka has stepped up his opposition campaign in Tana River, promising to revive stalled development projects while warning against what he termed growing intimidation of political leaders by State agencies.

Kalonzo, accompanied by Democratic Party (DP) leader Hon JB Muturi and DAP-K leader Hon Eugene Wamalwa, held a series of public engagement rallies across Tana River County after attending Mass at St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Hola.

The opposition chief placed development at the centre of his message, outlining plans he said could transform Tana River and the wider Northern region, including Garissa, Wajir and Mandera.

Kalonzo said revitalising the Hola Irrigation Scheme would boost food production, create jobs and improve household incomes in a region with enormous agricultural potential.

He also renewed focus on the proposed High Grand Falls project on River Tana, saying its implementation could provide a lasting solution to water shortages affecting communities across Tana River and the neighbouring counties.

According to Kalonzo, the project has the potential to supply water to Tana River, Garissa, Wajir, Mandera and other drought-prone areas, while unlocking wider economic opportunities along the Tana River basin.

But the Wiper leader’s rallies also took a sharp political turn as he addressed the controversy surrounding an incident involving Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and subsequent allegations against Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji.

Kalonzo defended Mukunji against the allegations, insisting that the legislator was not involved in the alleged attack and condemning what he described as intimidation directed at the MP.

He questioned the state of security in the country, arguing that concerns over political safety could no longer be dismissed if even the Deputy President could allegedly face threats from rogue elements within the security system.

“If the Deputy President himself can allegedly face threats from rogue State officers, what about opposition leaders and ordinary Kenyans?” Kalonzo posed.

The opposition leader said the developments should serve as a warning over the need to protect the rights and security of every Kenyan regardless of political affiliation.

Kalonzo, Muturi and Wamalwa also condemned what they described as the continued deployment of State machinery to frustrate and intimidate opposition politicians.

They cited recent incidents involving Linda Mwananchi leaders in Nairobi, arguing that security agencies must remain professional, impartial and firmly anchored in the Constitution.

Kalonzo said the police should serve Kenyans without political bias and warned against turning security institutions into instruments for settling political scores.

The Tana River tour further positioned the opposition leaders around a message of development, constitutionalism and political accountability as they seek to consolidate support ahead of the 2027 General Election.

For Kalonzo, the message to Tana River residents was both political and developmental: that neglected irrigation, water shortages, unemployment and insecurity must be addressed alongside the protection of democratic space.