Sources involved in the event planning say President William Ruto’s team understood the symbolic weight of a Kalonzo Musyoka speech. Raila Odinga had, in 2023, hinted at supporting Kalonzo as his political successor, and letting him address mourners could easily have been viewed as a public anointing.

Analysts believe Ruto’s advisers considered that risk too high. A single appearance by Kalonzo on such an emotional stage might have rallied the Luo community and Raila’s wider reformist base behind him—strengthening a potential coalition ahead of 2027.

Those close to the Odinga family also mention a private message Raila left for Kalonzo through his brother, Dr. Oburu Oginga, which could influence opposition politics if ever made public.

Excluding Kalonzo from the program therefore appears to have been a strategic move to prevent a symbolic hand-over of Raila’s legacy during a nationally charged moment.