The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
The Wiper Patriotic Front has ramped up efforts to grow its political footprint in Nyanza region ahead of a planned tour by party leader Kalonzo Musyoka.
Party officials and grassroots supporters convened in Kisumu to plan for Musyoka’s upcoming visit, which is expected to bring together political leaders, professionals, faith-based organisations, and other groups from across the region. According to the party, the tour forms part of a broader strategy to strengthen its grassroots structures and boost its visibility ahead of the 2027 General Election.
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Wiper Patriotic Front Executive Director Benson Milai said the Kisumu meeting was meant to develop a coordinated programme for Musyoka’s visit while engaging party leaders and grassroots supporters, describing the gathering as an opportunity to connect with the party’s base on the ground.
He said the goal was to design a structured itinerary that would allow Musyoka to interact directly with communities across Nyanza, with the visit tentatively planned for late September or early October, pending finalization of the programme.
Milai also revealed that Wiper is preparing to open offices in several parts of Nyanza as part of efforts to build a more organized and permanent grassroots network, naming Migori and Siaya among the areas already identified for new offices. He said the move is intended to make the party more visible and operational in the region, providing a lasting presence ahead of the 2027 elections.
The Kisumu meeting also served as a platform for Wiper to unveil politicians seeking to run under its ticket in the upcoming election. Among those introduced was Michael Mboga, who announced his defection from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and declared his intention to contest the Migori Senate seat on a Wiper ticket.
Mboga said he joined Wiper because he believes the party offers a genuine platform for political change, and pledged his support for Musyoka’s presidential bid, declaring that Wiper would soon open offices across all Nyanza sub-counties as part of efforts to back Musyoka’s ambition to become Kenya’s sixth president.
His defection adds to Wiper’s growing efforts to attract political figures and prospective candidates as parties begin positioning themselves for the 2027 contest.
Local leaders and supporters welcomed the planned visit, calling on Musyoka to dedicate more time to engaging communities throughout the region. One supporter, Jane Atieno, urged the Wiper leader to visit every county in Nyanza so residents could be formally introduced to him.
The meeting also saw calls for Musyoka to take on a more prominent political role in Nyanza following the death of veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga, with local leaders pointing to Musyoka’s longstanding political ties to Odinga and urging him to deepen his engagement with the region.
Milai said Wiper’s immediate priority remains building a strong political network across Nyanza capable of recruiting supporters and fielding candidates for various positions in the 2027 elections. The party is expected to step up grassroots mobilisation efforts in the coming weeks as it finalizes preparations for Musyoka’s regional tour.
The planned visit will give the Wiper leader a chance to engage political leaders, professionals, religious groups, and grassroots supporters as the party works to expand its influence beyond its traditional strongholds.
With the 2027 General Election drawing closer, political parties across Kenya are increasingly focusing on grassroots mobilisation, candidate recruitment, and regional alliances as they work to build competitive electoral networks.
