Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has called for tolerance among Linda Mwananchi supporters after Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka was booed and interrupted by chants for Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.

Speaking during the launch of the movement's headquarters in Lavington, Nairobi, Natembeya urged supporters of Sifuna to be more accommodating of other opposition leaders, warning that hostility towards potential allies could undermine efforts to agree on a single presidential candidate for the 2027 General Election.

This is after the Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka faced boos and repeated chants of “President Sifuna” from sections of the audience.

He told the crowd that Kalonzo had left the event feeling upset and urged supporters to consider the delicate nature of the opposition's political engagements.

“Honourable Kalonzo has been here, and he has left a little upset. Let me finish,” Natembeya said, as some people in the audience murmured.

He cautioned that the opposition needed to handle disagreements carefully, saying the movement could not afford to alienate leaders it hoped to work with.

“You know the position we are in now is delicate. We must speak to one another. There is a possibility that people from the broad-base side could bring even groups of people to stand at the back and make noise. They could bring people to heckle Rigathi or Kalonzo because there are people who want to derail this journey,” he said.

Natembeya urged supporters to welcome different leaders and allow them to participate without being shouted down.

“Our people, as we continue with this journey, let us be more accommodating. We know where Kenyans stand, but let us not ruin this journey. Let people from all over come and see that they have freely come to support Sifuna, rather than one person being shouted down by another,” he said.

He specifically appealed to those who had booed Kalonzo to exercise tolerance.

“To those who were shouting, I am asking you, please be tolerant,” he said.

Natembeya's remarks came after Sifuna had intervened to calm the crowd when sections of the audience repeatedly chanted his name as Kalonzo addressed the gathering.

Kalonzo had appealed to supporters to exercise patience over the opposition's presidential candidature, saying the process should be guided by party procedures and consultations.

He cautioned Sifuna against rushing the process, referring to a delegates' meeting scheduled for November 13 as an opportunity to clarify the leadership question.

Kalonzo also said he would support Sifuna if the senator emerged as the opposition's presidential candidate, while naming former Defence Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa as another leader he would be willing to back.

Despite the interruptions, Kalonzo insisted that the opposition needed to approach the 2027 contest as a team and make room for consultations and compromise.

Natembeya echoed that message, saying the discussions should continue until the opposition settled on its preferred candidate.

“These discussions will continue until the end because we have agreed that Kenya needs only one candidate,” he said.