Kalonzo plans seven-day tour of US to bolster networks

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka during a rally at Muthurwa market, Nairobi, on Friday /HANDOUT

Tusker rally past Ulinzi to reach FKF Cup semifinals as Nairobi United bow out Football

Red hot Omanyala to orchestrate Kenya's 4x100m charge at World Relays today Athletics

Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka is set to embark on a seven-day tour of Washington, DC, where he will engage members of the Kenyan diaspora.

The Star has established that the tour will include town-hall meetings, roundtable discussions with professionals and consultations with community leaders living in the United States.

The former Vice President will be in Washington from February 3 to 10. During the visit, he is scheduled to attend the National Prayer Service on February 5.

The service brings together diplomats, faith leaders and respected public officials from across the world.

Kalonzo is expected to use the engagements to strengthen his diplomatic networks, which are considered critical for top political leaders. It is not yet clear whether he will meet any senior officials from President Donald Trump’s administration.

He will also use the visit to rally diaspora support, listen to concerns affecting Kenyans living abroad and outline his political outlook ahead of the 2027 General Election.

In addition, the former Vice President will hold meetings with policy think tanks and friends of Kenya to discuss democratic reforms and the role of the diaspora in national development.

Kalonzo has lined up visits to at least five locations during his one-week stay in the US, including Washington, DC, Maryland, Virginia and Delaware.

The Kenyan diaspora remains a quiet but influential player in campaign financing. Diaspora contributions, often mobilised through informal networks, give candidates access to flexible funding that can be deployed quickly for early campaigning, travel, mobilisation and media outreach.

For many politicians, especially those outside established power structures such as Kalonzo, these funds can help kick-start campaigns long before local fundraising machinery is in place. The inflows also reduce reliance on traditional local financiers and political brokers, allowing candidates greater autonomy over messaging and strategy.

Kalonzo’s engagements in the United Kingdom were aborted last year after he was forced to cut short a planned 10-day tour and return home to mourn former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

On October 15, Kalonzo had departed for the UK as part of efforts to strengthen international partnerships and rally the Kenyan diaspora ahead of the 2027 General Election. However, barely a day after his departure, he flew back to Kenya in time for Raila’s state funeral ceremony at Nyayo National Stadium.