Kalonzo Musyoka

DATE OF BIRTH


December 24, 1953

GENDER


Male

OCCUPATION


Politician, Lawyer

FAMILY


Married to Pauline Musyoka. They have three children.

BIOGRAPHY


Education background: Early learning at Tseikuru Full Primary School between 1960 and 1967 before he proceeded to Kitui High School for O levels, then Meru School for A levels. Joined university of Nairobi where he graduated with a Bachelor of Law degree in 1977. He also holds a post graduate diploma in legal practice from the Kenya School of Law (KSL) which he obtained in 1978. Additionally, he holds a postgraduate diploma in Business from the Mediterranean Institute of Management in Cyprus.  

Married to Pauline Musyoka, they have three children: Kennedy Musyoka Kalonzo, Klein Kalonzo and Damaris Musenya. Kennedy, the first born, is a lawyer and serves as a member of the  East African Legislative Assembly (EALA).

First elected in parliament in 1985, Mr Musyoka served as Kenya’s 10th vice president between 2008 and 2010 under late President Mwai Kibaki. 

He first tried his hand in politics when he unsuccessfully vied for the Kitui North Constituency parliamentary seat in 1983 and lost to Phillip Manandu. However, two years later, the seat was declared vacant after the death of Mr Manandu and Mr Musyoka, then aged 32, was voted in in the by-election that followed.

He was appointed Assistant Minister for Works, Housing and Physical Planning in 1986. He was re-elected as MP in the 1988 general election and was also elected Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, serving until the 1992 general election.

Late former President Daniel Moi appointed him Foreign Minister. He also served as Minister for Education and Information, communication and Tourism until 2002.

He also served as the National Organizing Secretary for Kanu from 1988 to 2002. He quit Kanu in 2002 and together with Mr Raila Odinga, the late George Saitoti and JJ Kamotho, he joined the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) which joined forces with Mr Kibaki’s NAK to form a new government after the 2002 elections. He was once again appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs but was re-deployed to the Ministry of Environment in a cabinet reshuffle in 2004.

Mr Moi had previously appointed him to chair the Sudan-Somalia peace talks but Mr Kibaki later replaced him in 2004. He was sacked from cabinet, where he served as Environment Minister, alongside Mr Odinga after they opposed the draft Constitution that had been proposed by Ministers allied to the former Head of state in the 2005 referendum. Mr Kalonzo reportedly received his dismissal letter from then Head of Civil Service Francis Muthaura telling him to resign with immediate effect.

He founded ODM-K and used it contest the 2007 presidential election where he came third behind Mr Kibaki and Mr Odinga. He was subsequently appointed vice president in the grand coalition government that was formed by the two rivals after peace negotiations mediated by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Anan.

He would later join hands with Mr Odinga in the 2013 general election where he was his running mate, and again in the 2017 general election. 


Latest articles on Kalonzo Musyoka:

  1. Raila's moment of truth

    The opposition chief starts a five-day countdown to deadline issued to Ruto on bipartisan talks.

    Raila Odinga in Kisumu
  2. Foot bills of people injured during demos, Azimio urges State

    They also called on the government to pay for losses incurred during the demonstrations.

    Azimio team
  3. Azimio to resume demos after Ramadhan, Raila says

    He said even though the coalition supports ongoing talks, it will hold demos as dialogue continue.

    Raila Odinga
  4. Stop being cowards, Kalonzo tells Kambas

    "Kambas should emulate Luos to win the presidency. If you developed a spine, the whole nation would take notice," Wiper leader said.

    Kalonzo
  5. How Ruto, Raila came to read from same script

    As the opposition and government dug into their positions, history presents a number of avenues that can be used to break the deadlock.

  6. Raila promises mother of all protests on Monday

    Azimio leaders engaged Nairobi residents on Thursday as they held stopovers in Imara Daima, Mukuru Kwa Njenga and Kware.

    Raila Odinga and Martha Karua
  7. Kalonzo, local leaders call for probe into Athi River business man’s death

    Homicide detectives from Nairobi have already visited the scene and taken over the case.

    Pius Musembi's Car
  8. Protests to take place Mondays and Thursdays: Raila

    Raila also claimed there was an attempt on his life and that of Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka.

    Raila Odinga maandamano monday protests
  9. Dais destroyed as Raila pitches for Monday protests in Kiambu

    Odinga said the planned Monday protests seek to liberate Kenyans from a bad regime.

    Raila Odinga
  10. Governor Kilonzo Jnr: It’ll be hard to unseat Ruto in 2027

    He argued that the Kamba community was too poor to finance a presidential campaign.

    Mutula Kilonzo Jnr
  11. Raila or Ruto? Kalonzo’s sticky political situation

    Political analysts caution Wiper leader against exiting Azimio

    Kalonzo Musyoka
  12. Political brothers fight for survival

    While the Kenyatta-Odinga axis “toyed around” with the power in their possession, Ruto approached the poll keen to maximise on the little access accorded to him.

    Former President Uhuru Kenyatta (left), Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga (centre) and Mama Ida Odinga
  13. Ruto, Uhuru and Raila mourn Magoha as tributes pour in

    Raila has expressed his sadness at learning of Prof Magoha's death.

    Former Education CS George Magoha.
  14. Push to have Kalonzo named flagbearer rocks Azimio boat

    Wiper leader’s allies say there is need for early preparations to face off with Ruto in 2027.

    Kalonzo Musyoka
  15. Revealed: Uhuru’s Jubilee Party want Raila in 2027 ballot

    Uhuru’s close allies have stoked a fresh controversy in Azimio by disclosing plans to front Raila Odinga for a sixth presidential run in 2027

    Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga KICC
  16. Why Kalonzo is no longer at ease in Ukambani

    President William Ruto has given Mr Musyoka’s Ukambani backyard three Cabinet posts.

    Kalonzo Musyoka
  17. Kalonzo: Ruto knows I’m the man to beat in 2027

    The Wiper leader rallied Ukambani backyard saying he now has the backing of Mr Odinga’s support base.

    Kalonzo Musyoka
  18. Raila calls off pro-Cherera team rallies slated for Wednesday

    Azimio also terms JLAC hearings against the four a "lynch mob".

    Dissenting commissioners

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