Wiper Patriotic Front Movement party leader Kalonzo Musyoka today made an appeal to the electorates of Ugunja, asking them to “return the favor” he claims he did for the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga before his death.

The former Vice President visited Ugunja, making stops at various stages to drum up support for Eng Odhiambo Orodi in the forthcoming parliamentary by-elections.

Mr Musyoka argued that electing Eng Orodi would be a major step in keeping the legacy of the late former Prime Minister alive.

“I have come as a friend of this region. I worked for many years with the late former Prime Minister and more than one occasion our victory was stolen,” said Mr Kalonzo while addressing residents at a public rally in Sigomere.

He continued, sharpening his criticism of political rivals:“There are people pretending that they were the best friends of Mr Odinga yet we know that they never liked him. They called him names like mganga, today they are the people pretending to have suffered from his demise.”

Mr Musyoka also reflected on a tense political incident, claiming the vehicle carrying the late former Prime Minister was shot at several times.

“Had it not been that the vehicle that carried Mr Odinga was armored, that was the day we would have lost Mr Odinga,” he noted.

The ‘One Term’ Rallying Cry

Musyoka strongly championed the One Term slogan, which has been the key rallying call by the united opposition brigade.

“Let us unite, work together and ensure that this Kenya Kwanza regime serves just one term, because clearly they have been unable to deliver what they promised Kenyans. Let us work together by electing Eng Orodi, this will be a thank you to me as a long term friend of you,” he added, linking his personal relationship with the region to the current political goal.

On his part, Eng. Orodi called on electorates to rise early and vote for him.

“Vote for me on November 27 and then vote for Mr Musyoka in 2027 as the sixth president of Kenya,” said Eng. Orodi, clearly aiming to mobilize support for both the by-election and Musyoka’s future presidential bid.

The By-Election Race

The Ugunja parliamentary seat fell vacant after the former Minority Leader, who was serving as the area lawmaker, was appointed to the Cabinet.

The seat has attracted 11 candidates, including: Erick Ofiro (Jubilee Party), Vincent Olengo (Kenya Moja) Fredrick Ochiel (Independent) Benson Obol (United Democratic Movement – UDM) Oliver Ochieng (Nation Liberal Party – NLP), Moses Omondi (Orange Democratic Movement – ODM), Chrispine Oduor (KANU), Dr Maurice Okumu (Federal Party of Kenya)