The Wiper Patriotic Front has stepped up grassroots mobilisation in Nyanza ahead of a planned regional tour by party leader Kalonzo Musyoka.
Party officials, local leaders and supporters met in Kisumu to prepare for Mr Musyoka’s expected visit, which is likely to bring together politicians, professionals, faith-based organisations and community groups from across the region.
Wiper executive director Benson Milai said the meeting was part of efforts to strengthen the party’s structures and give Musyoka an opportunity to engage directly with residents.
“We are in Kisumu today to visit our leaders at the grassroots,” Milai said.
He said the party was developing a programme that would allow Musyoka to visit different parts of Nyanza and meet grassroots supporters.
The tour is tentatively planned for later this month or early October.
As part of its expansion strategy, Wiper is also planning to establish offices in several parts of Nyanza.
Milai said offices had already been earmarked for Migori and Siaya, adding that the move would increase the party’s visibility and strengthen its grassroots operations.
The Kisumu meeting also provided a platform for politicians seeking to contest the 2027 general election on a Wiper ticket.
Among them was Michael Mboga, who said he had left the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and would seek a Senate seat in Migori on the Wiper ticket.
Mboga said he had joined Wiper because he believed the party could provide a platform for political change.
He also pledged his support for Musyoka’s presidential ambitions.
He called for Wiper offices to be established across Nyanza’s sub-counties and urged residents to support Mr Musyoka’s bid for the presidency.
Some supporters have also called on the Wiper leader to spend more time in the region and strengthen his ties with local communities.
Jane Atieno urged Musyoka to visit all the counties in Nyanza and formally introduce himself to residents.
“We’d like you to come to Kisumu, walk to each and every county, so that we can introduce you formally and officially to our people,” she said.
The mobilisation comes as Nyanza adjusts to the death of veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga.
Some local leaders have called on Musyoka to take on a more prominent role in the region, citing his long political association with Odinga.
Wiper says its immediate focus is on strengthening its organisation.
Milai said the party was building a network across Nyanza to support grassroots mobilisation and help it field candidates in the 2027 elections.
The planned tour is expected to intensify Wiper’s activities in the region as the party seeks to build support ahead of the elections.
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