Kalonzo Leads Opposition Charge at Nzoika’s Memorial Service
Wiper Party leader and People’s Loyal Opposition Leader, H.E. Dr. Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka, has reaffirmed his commitment to championing the rights of Kenyans while eulogizing the late Johnson Nzoika, the former Chairman of the Kenya Primary Schools Head Teachers Association (KEPSHA).
Speaking during Nzoika’s memorial service in Donholm, Nairobi, Dr. Musyoka hailed the deceased’s legacy in educational leadership, which earned him the prestigious Head of State Commendation.
The event was attended by officials from the Ministry of Education, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), and the Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KESSHA).In his address, Dr. Musyoka took a swipe at the current administration, accusing it of failing the education sector.
He decried the lack of transparency in teacher promotions, citing the overwhelming number of applicants against available positions.
“100,000 have applied for just 25,000 promotions, which is unjust. We demand fairness and transparency in these promotions, as it is in the best interest of this nation,” he said.
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino also paid tribute to Nzoika, describing him as a visionary leader. He further lamented the challenges faced by teachers, emphasizing the need for urgent reforms.
“Kenyans are grappling with numerous problems, including a teaching workforce that may retire before they even start working. We must address this crisis,” Owino stated, hinting at his political plans for 2027.
Other legislators in attendance included Embakasi South MP Musili Mawathe, Machakos County Woman Representative Joyce Kamene, Kitui Central MP Makali Mulu, Kilome MP Eng. Thaddeus Nzambia, and Kaiti MP Joshua Kimilu.
Dr. Musyoka also took a firm stand against what he termed as a “state capture” of key institutions. “Come rain or shine, we will stand with the Kenyan people. We will not move backward,” he asserted, warning against any attempts to control the Judiciary, Parliament, and the Opposition.
Joining the Opposition chorus, Democratic Action Party – Kenya (DAP-K) Leader Hon. Eugene Wamalwa called on the teaching fraternity to unite against the government’s punitive taxation policies.
He singled out the controversial Affordable Housing Tax and the SHA/SHIF healthcare levies, accusing the government of misleading Kenyans.
“Teachers’ payslips are being raided through excessive taxation. We must stand together to reverse these policies and remove this regime,” Wamalwa said.
In a defiant rebuttal to claims that the Opposition was warming up to President William Ruto’s administration, Wamalwa dismissed such reports as propaganda.
“They may try to buy all presidential candidates, but they will not buy Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka. They may attempt to buy all political parties, but they will never buy Wiper or DAP-K,” he declared.
Kitui County Senator Enoch Wambua echoed Wamalwa’s sentiments, warning defectors against dragging Dr. Musyoka’s name into political realignments.
“Those rushing to join the Ruto regime must leave Kalonzo’s name out of their mouths. Dr. Musyoka will never engage Ruto in talks. The only meeting between them will be after August 10, 2027, when Ruto is handing over power to Dr. Musyoka,” Wambua stated.
The event underscored the Opposition’s growing discontent with the government’s policies and signaled an intensified push against what they perceive as injustices in the education sector and beyond.
By Sharon Atieno
