Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has begun a major fundraising tour of the United States.
The tour targets Kenyans in the diaspora as he steps up political engagements ahead of next year’s polls.
The former Vice President, who is on a week-long US visit, will on Friday host a fundraising dinner for his 2027 presidential bid. The events are being organised by Kenyan diaspora community, which has in recent weeks been mobilising networks for the fundraiser.
According to a schedule seen by the Star, the Wiper boss will also address Kenyans through town hall meetings to outline his vision for the country.
“We will have our first fundraising dinner on Friday after a meeting with diaspora leaders,” a source told the Star.
Running a successful presidential campaign requires a huge financial war chest and a well-oiled campaign machine, factors increasingly shaping early moves by key contenders ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Kalonzo, a former Foreign Affairs minister, is now seen as activating his international networks to build the financial muscle needed for a competitive run.
According to the itinerary, he is set to meet Kenyan communities in several US states, where a series of high-level fundraisers have been planned. The first event is scheduled for today, shortly after a morning session with diaspora leaders and investor engagements.
On Saturday, the Wiper leader will attend an SDA church service before holding a town hall meeting expected to draw about 1,000 participants. He is also scheduled to attend another church service on Sunday.
Last month, Kalonzo travelled to Nigeria with retired President Uhuru Kenyatta, where he met former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, a key continental power broker who previously played a central role in Raila Odinga’s international outreach during his presidential campaign.
Political analyst Daniel Orogo said President William Ruto has raised the bar on campaign spending, forcing other contenders to scale up their efforts.
“It is going to be a big-money campaign. The current President has made presidential campaigns extremely expensive. He is setting the stage for other candidates to match his spending or do something bigger,” Orogo told the Star by phone.
“Other candidates must pull up their socks or risk invisibility or being deemed not serious.”
A serious presidential bid requires funding for nationwide travel, security, media outreach and a permanent campaign secretariat staffed by seasoned strategists, data analysts and grassroots coordinators.
Billboards, radio talk shows, digital campaigns and transport logistics can swallow hundreds of millions of shillings even before campaigns peak. By the time the race hits top gear, a presidential bid can run into billions, making fundraising a necessity rather than a luxury.
Kalonzo’s engagements with the Kenyan diaspora in the US, alongside meetings with influential African leaders, are viewed as part of a broader strategy to mobilise both resources and political capital.
The former Vice President left the country on Tuesday the US tour, during which he also attended the 74th National Prayer Breakfast on Thursday.
The annual event, held in Washington, DC, on the first Thursday of February, brings together political leaders from across the world to reflect on governance, leadership and national values through prayer and dialogue.
“I am looking forward to attending the 74th National Prayer Breakfast and engaging with our diaspora community and other partners on shared values, leadership and nationhood,” Kalonzo said.
He is accompanied by Kathiani MP and Deputy Minority Leader Robert Mbui, as well as Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo.
Back home, Kalonzo’s bid received a boost after Uhuru handed him former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s 2022 political machine, Azimio la Umoja.
In changes already communicated to the Registrar of Political Parties, the Wiper boss was named Azimio party leader, giving him control of the coalition’s networks and grassroots machinery.
Comments 0
Sign in to join the conversation
Sign In Create AccountNo comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!