Wiper Patriotic Front leader Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka has reflected on his long political journey, saying his late mother died knowing that her son was pursuing the presidency.

Speaking during the 20th anniversary commemoration of his late mother, Mama Sarah Malia Musyoka, Kalonzo said it had taken him two decades to reach the current stage of his political journey, adding that he believes he is now close to achieving his long-held presidential ambition.

Kalonzo's remarks came as his family gathered at his Tseikuru home in Kitui County to mark 20 years since the death of his mother.

The commemoration provided an opportunity for the Wiper leader to reflect not only on his mother's life and influence but also on his political career, which has spanned several decades.

“My mother died knowing that her son was running for the presidency. Mama, it has taken me 20 years, but we are nearly there,” Kalonzo said.

His comments come as Kenya's political parties and leaders position themselves ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Kalonzo has been undertaking public engagements in different parts of the country, with his Wiper Patriotic Front continuing to organise activities and public meetings ahead of the election. His party has also outlined a broader national political programme under his leadership.

20 YEARS SINCE HIS MOTHER'S DEATH

The commemoration of Mama Sarah Malia Musyoka marked two decades since her death.

According to the programme released by the Wiper Patriotic Front, Kalonzo was scheduled to lead his family in remembering his mother at their Tseikuru residence on September 24, 2026.

The anniversary carried personal significance for Kalonzo, who used the occasion to connect his family's history with his political journey.

His reference to his mother's knowledge of his presidential ambitions highlighted how long he has pursued the country's highest political office.

Kalonzo first contested the presidency in the 2007 General Election, when he ran under the Orange Democratic Movement-Kenya. He later became Vice-President under President Mwai Kibaki in the coalition government formed after the disputed 2007 election.

He subsequently ran as Raila Odinga's running mate in the 2013 and 2017 presidential elections.

His political career has therefore included presidential campaigns, coalition negotiations and senior government positions.

A LONG POLITICAL CAREER

Kalonzo's political career dates back several decades.

He entered Parliament in the 1980s and served in a number of government positions under Presidents Daniel arap Moi and Mwai Kibaki.

He later became Vice-President in 2008, serving under Kibaki until 2013.

His experience in national politics has included serving as Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister for Education, Minister for Environment and other government positions.

The former Vice-President has remained active in national politics after leaving government, building the Wiper political organisation and seeking a larger role in national leadership.

His presidential ambitions have continued through successive election cycles.

The 2027 election is therefore another significant stage in a political journey that has stretched across decades.

KALONZO'S CURRENT POLITICAL ACTIVITIES

The Wiper leader has intensified his public engagements as the country moves towards the 2027 General Election.

On September 23, Kalonzo visited Kyuso in Kitui County, where he handed over a school bus to Mama Pauline Kalonzo Girls High School.

The engagement formed part of a wider programme taking him to Kitui, Busia and Siaya counties.

According to Wiper's programme, Kalonzo was scheduled to proceed to Busia before travelling to Bondo in Siaya County for church and public engagements.

The activities are part of his broader effort to engage with communities beyond his traditional political base.

His official campaign platform currently describes his political programme as “Kalonzo 2027” and promotes a national political message under the “Komboa Kenya” banner.

HIS MOTHER'S MEMORY

For Kalonzo, the anniversary of his mother's death has provided an opportunity to remember her contribution to his life and political career.

By linking her memory to his presidential ambition, he presented his political journey as one that has continued for many years.

His statement that “it has taken me 20 years” reflects the length of time since the death of his mother and the period over which his presidential ambitions have remained part of his political career.

The Wiper leader has remained a prominent figure in Kenya's opposition politics, particularly through his involvement in coalition arrangements.

He has worked closely with other opposition leaders over several election cycles, including Raila Odinga, with whom he served as running mate in two presidential elections.

Following Raila Odinga's death in 2025, Kenya's opposition landscape has undergone changes, with several political figures seeking to establish their positions ahead of the next election.

Kalonzo has continued to present himself as a national political leader and has increased his engagements outside his traditional strongholds.

POLITICAL LANDSCAPE AHEAD OF 2027

Kalonzo's latest remarks come against the backdrop of preparations for the 2027 General Election.

Political parties are restructuring, forming alliances and mobilising supporters ahead of the polls.

The Wiper Patriotic Front has been conducting public engagements and promoting Kalonzo's political platform.

His official campaign website lists a number of activities aimed at building support across counties and describes the campaign as seeking to promote a national political movement.

At the same time, other political leaders and parties are also preparing for the 2027 contest.

The opposition space has attracted several prominent figures, while discussions around possible coalitions and political partnerships continue.

Kalonzo's current activities therefore come at a time when political alliances remain fluid.

FROM COALITION POLITICS TO PRESIDENTIAL AMBITION

One of the defining features of Kalonzo's political career has been his participation in coalition politics.

He served as Raila Odinga's running mate in both the 2013 and 2017 presidential elections.

In 2007, he contested the presidency independently before becoming part of the post-election coalition government.

His political experience has consequently involved both presidential contests and coalition arrangements.

The remarks made during his mother's anniversary suggest that he continues to view the presidency as a personal political objective.

However, the eventual shape of the 2027 presidential contest will depend on decisions by political parties, candidates, coalitions and voters.

For now, Kalonzo's public engagements indicate that he is continuing to prepare his political organisation and communicate his agenda to voters across different parts of the country.

LOOKING AHEAD TO 2027

The Wiper leader's reference to being “nearly there” is his own characterization of his political journey.

It comes as he continues nationwide engagements and positions his party ahead of the next General Election.

His activities include meetings with communities, public rallies, church engagements and other events intended to expand his national political presence.

The Wiper Patriotic Front has also continued to present Kalonzo as its party leader and presidential figure.

The party's official communication describes its current programme as focused on national mobilisation and preparations for 2027.

Kalonzo's remarks at the memorial of his mother therefore combined a personal reflection with a statement about his political aspirations.

Twenty years after her death, he says his presidential journey remains unfinished but that he believes it is approaching a significant point.

As Kenya heads towards another election cycle, his continued political activities will form part of the wider national debate over leadership, political alliances and the direction of the country.

For Kalonzo, however, the journey is also deeply personal.

His recollection of his mother and her knowledge of his ambitions places his current political efforts within a much longer story—one that he says began many years ago and has continued through successive elections, political coalitions and changes in Kenya's political landscape.

With the 2027 General Election approaching, Kalonzo is continuing his public engagements while maintaining his presidential ambitions.

Whether those ambitions translate into a presidential candidacy and how political alliances develop will become clearer as parties and candidates make their formal decisions.

For now, the Wiper leader says the journey that his late mother knew about two decades ago is, in his words, “nearly there.”