A sharp political exchange has erupted over whether Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka should have been allowed to speak during the Friday's state funeral service of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga at Nyayo stadium.

This emerged after Kalonzo, who was present during the event, expressed disappointment over how the opposition was treated.

He alleged that it went against Raila’s spirit of inclusion.

“It is unfortunate because it was a state funeral; they should have recognized the official opposition to say something. That is what Raila Odinga would have wanted,” he said after the mass.

He also criticised the manner in which Deputy President Kithure Kindiki acknowledged their presence during the service, saying, “Even the announcement by Kindiki was barely audible. Nobody could hear.”

But in response, Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei took on Kalonzo for hypocrisy for lamenting being denied a chance to eulogize Raila. 

Cherargei argued that Kalonzo had no moral standing to complain, recalling his decision to break ranks with Raila in 2007.

“Kalonzo should be the last to complain that he was denied a chance to eulogise Jakom,” Cherargei said.  betrayed Raila when he was a heartbeat away from the presidency by running against him and supporting the illegitimate win of Kibaki that plunged the country into the 2007/08 post-election violence. President Ruto, on the other hand, stood with Raila until he became the second Prime Minister of Kenya.”

However, other leaders strongly disagreed, saying Kalonzo deserved to speak out of respect for his long-standing partnership with Raila in the struggle for democracy.

EALA MP Kanini Kega was among those who defended the Wiper leader. 

“Kalonzo Musyoka must be allowed to speak on behalf of all of us who, in one way or another, made sacrifices for Baba. Will as many of a similar opinion say aye?” he posted on X.

Kiambu Senator Karungo Thang’wa also weighed in, saying Kalonzo and Narc-Kenya leader Martha Karua had a deeper bond with Raila than most of those given prominence at the funeral. Former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka was closer to the late Raila Odinga than Ruto ever was. Martha Karua, too, was not just a friend but his former running mate and loyal partner in the long struggle for justice and democracy,” he said.

He added, “While they stood with Raila through many years of shared values and sacrifice, Ruto was busy calling him Mganga. The most honourable thing the Ruto regime could have done was to give them the space to mourn their friend and speak to the nation that Baba dedicated his life to serving.” By FELIX KIPKEMOI, The Star