“Only Raila can pull big crowds…Kalonzo took advantage of yesterday’s holiday. hawa watu…were on vacation in Nairobi”-Oburu Odinga

Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga has downplayed the massive crowd that attended Kalonzo Musyoka’s recent political rally in Nairobi, suggesting that the turnout was not a true reflection of his popularity.

Speaking on Friday, Oburu — who is ODM leader Raila Odinga’s elder brother — claimed that Kalonzo’s event only drew large numbers because it coincided with a public holiday, when many Nairobi residents were off work.

“Only Raila can pull big crowds… Kalonzo took advantage of yesterday’s holiday. The people who turned out during his meeting were simply on vacation in Nairobi,” Oburu said.

His remarks come after viral clips showed huge crowds welcoming Kalonzo in what many political analysts interpreted as a show of strength ahead of the 2027 elections.

However, Oburu insisted that Raila remains the only opposition figure with a proven track record of mobilizing genuine grassroots support across the country.

The comments have since sparked mixed reactions online, with supporters from both sides engaging in heated debates over who truly commands the opposition base.