- Kalonzo claims his 2007 votes were rigged
- Says confusion between ODM and ODM Kenya hurt his chances
- Insists he had strong support, especially in the Rift Valley
Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka has reopened debate around the 2007 General Election, claiming his votes were rigged despite what was officially reported as a distant third-place finish.
Kalonzo made the remarks on Tuesday, December 9, while speaking in Ithanga, Murang’a County, during the burial service of the late Herbert Kariithi Macharia.
According to the former Vice President, confusion between ODM Kenya and ODM parties worked against him at the ballot.
Kalonzo said he ran under ODM Kenya, while Raila Odinga used ODM, a situation he believes misled many voters who were searching for the wrong party symbol.
“In 2007, I ran for President, and my votes were indeed stolen,” Kalonzo said.
“They later said I was a distant third, yet there was confusion between ODM Kenya and ODM. Many voters didn’t know which symbol to follow.”
Kalonzo further claimed that his support base in 2007 was wider than acknowledged, especially in the Rift Valley region.
He insisted that the official results did not reflect the real picture on the ground, arguing that he had strong national backing despite being edged out by the late Mwai Kibaki and Raila Odinga.
Reflecting on the aftermath of the disputed election, Kalonzo said the kind of post-election power-sharing that followed in 2008 would not happen again.
He recalled how he later joined hands with Kibaki and Raila to stabilise the country, but said lessons have since been learned.
“Now we are wiser,” he said.
“We don’t have to wait for another Kibaki–Kalonzo situation after elections. I, Kalonzo, and Rigathi have united early.”
Kalonzo revealed that he has already aligned himself with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, saying the early unity is meant to avoid last-minute political arrangements.
The partnership, he said, positions them strongly ahead of the 2027 General Election.
If endorsed as the United Opposition flag bearer, the 2027 race would mark Kalonzo’s first direct presidential bid since 2007.
He previously served as Raila Odinga’s running mate in 2013 and 2017, and later backed Raila again in 2022, despite not being selected as deputy.
This time, Kalonzo believes conditions are favourable, as he also banks on support from Rigathi Gachagua, former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i, and DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa.
