Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has stepped in to assure Kenya’s Somali community that the United Opposition stands with them, following controversial remarks by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua concerning an Eastleigh businessmen.
Speaking at the funeral of the late Muhia Njoroge, father of Kipipiri MP Wanjiku Muhia, on Wednesday, January 7, Kalonzo emphasized that the opposition’s mission is national unity, dismissing claims that it targets any specific community.
“We want to assure Somalis and every other Kenyan who is not a criminal that we are together; we are working for the real unity of Kenya,” Kalonzo said.
Kalonzo’s statement was welcomed by Gachagua, who clarified that his earlier comments were directed at individuals allegedly engaged in corrupt activities, not the Somali community as a whole.
“I recently spoke about a mall in Eastleigh which was used to import rice at the expense of our farmers. I never mentioned the mall, or the owner, or the community he comes from,” Gachagua said.
He urged leaders from the Somali community not to tarnish the entire group over the actions of a few, while reiterating that those accused of misusing proceeds from Minnesota to build the Eastleigh mall are guilty as charged.
Kalonzo also criticized President William Ruto’s “Singapore dream”, describing the comparison between Kenya and Singapore as diplomatically inappropriate.
“Even if your country is poor, you cannot compare your country to another one; that is a serious breach of protocol. I am quite sure that Singaporeans are themselves embarrassed,” he stated.
The Wiper leader insisted that the “Singapore dream” is a diversionary tactic by Ruto to mislead Kenyans and shift attention away from pressing domestic issues.