Senator Cherargei Accuses Kalonzo of Hypocrisy Over Raila’s Death Tributes

 Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei Kiprotich has launched a scathing attack on Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka, accusing him of hypocrisy and political opportunism in the wake of the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Saturday, Senator Cherargei faulted Kalonzo for what he described as “pontificating himself in the death of Baba Raila Odinga”, alleging that the Wiper leader had betrayed Odinga during the 2007 general election.

“Kalonzo should stop pontificating himself in the death of Baba Raila Odinga yet he didn’t stand with him when it mattered in 2007,” Cherargei said.

The outspoken senator claimed that Kalonzo sabotaged and betrayed Raila by running against him in 2007, thereby dividing the opposition and later joining President Mwai Kibaki in a post-election coalition following the disputed poll results.

“In 2007, Kalonzo sabotaged and betrayed Raila by running against him and crossing over to Kibaki’s side through a post-election coalition after the shambolic elections,” the statement continued.

Cherargei, a close ally of the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA), further described Kalonzo as a “calculative opportunist”, urging the Luo Nation to shun him as the country mourns Raila’s passing.

“Kalonzo is a calculative opportunist that the Luo Nation must shun like a plague,” he declared.

The senator’s comments come amid heightened political tensions and a flurry of tributes following the reported death of Raila Odinga, Kenya’s long-serving opposition leader and democracy icon.

While Kalonzo has been among those paying glowing tributes to Raila, his critics — including Cherargei — have questioned the sincerity of his messages, citing his past political decisions.

Kalonzo, who served as Vice President in Kibaki’s government after the 2007 election crisis, has long defended his move, saying it was necessary to stabilize the country amid post-election violence.