Wiper Raises Alarm Over Alleged Online Campaign Targeting Kalonzo as Sifuna Supporters Hit Back

The Wiper Patriotic Front (WPF) has raised concerns over what it describes as a coordinated online campaign by bloggers and supporters of a rival political faction to insult and demean its leader, Kalonzo Musyoka.

Wiper spokesperson Ndegwa Njiru sounded the alarm in a statement shared on his X account on Friday, November 13, alleging that a presidential aspirant had encouraged online supporters and digital operatives to target rival candidates.

Although Njiru stopped short of naming the individual he was referring to, he warned that the alleged conduct was undermining political discourse ahead of the August 2027 General Election.

“In the intensifying early campaign period ahead of Kenya’s August 2027 General Election, a presidential aspirant appears to have directed or encouraged his online supporters and aligned digital operatives to systematically insult, threaten, and demean rival presidential candidates. This pattern of coordinated online abuse is helping to degrade political discourse, personalise competition, and heighten tensions at a time when the country can least afford it,” said Njiru.

Sifuna Supporters Respond to Njiru

Despite Njiru not mentioning any names, supporters of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna flooded his timeline, dismissing the allegations and defending their right to express political opinions.

Some argued that Sifuna had not instructed anyone to attack rival politicians, while others challenged Wiper to accept criticism directed at its own candidate.

One supporter, Benji Ndolo, argued that Sifuna was not responsible for the conduct of independent groups of supporters.

“Sifuna has not directed anyone to do anything, infact he is busy doing his job and his own things and it’s self-propelling teams that make decisions often that he may not agree with but we move. You saw at the launch how he jumped up to restore calm. A restive crowd.”

Another supporter, identified as Mtu wa Sifuna, took a more direct approach, declaring the senator their preferred presidential candidate.

“Wakili, sema wafuasi wa Rais wa awamu ya sita, H.E Sifuna. we are very happy and proud of our presidential candidate. No one has stopped you to praise, abuse or indeed whatever you want with your preferred presidential candidate. Accept kwamba it is Sifuna or EDU or Watenya.”

Bestylionaire questioned why Kalonzo’s supporters were not matching the alleged online aggression.

“Why not ask your Kalonzo to unleash the same energy on us? Or is online political aggression only a concern when your side is on the receiving end?”

Carlmaury, meanwhile, criticised Kalonzo’s supporters for appearing to challenge Sifuna’s growing political influence.

“You people are funny. When Raila left the opposition lane open, Kalonzo had a whole runway and refused to take off. Now Sifuna has done the hard work and gained traction; suddenly you’re demanding he hand over the steering wheel.”

Growing Tensions Between Kalonzo and Sifuna Camps

The latest exchange adds to growing tensions between supporters of Kalonzo and Sifuna, two politicians viewed as potential contenders for the opposition’s presidential ticket in 2027.

The friction became particularly visible during the launch of the Linda Mwananchi Movement (LMM) secretariat on October 31.

During the event, Kalonzo publicly clarified that Sifuna was the party leader but was not a presidential candidate, remarks that angered the Nairobi senator’s supporters and triggered a heated exchange on social media.

The controversy surrounding Njiru’s statement also emerged shortly after Sifuna’s party, formerly known as The Equitable Party (TEP), held a National Delegates Council meeting that approved its rebranding as the Linda Mwananchi Movement.

Opposition Presidential Race Takes Shape

The rivalry comes as opposition figures position themselves ahead of the 2027 General Election, with several leaders expected to compete for the presidential ticket.

Besides Kalonzo and Sifuna, other prominent figures associated with the opposition’s emerging political contest include former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of the Democratic Change Party, former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i of Jubilee and People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua.

With political alliances and support bases still taking shape, disagreements among their supporters are increasingly playing out in public, particularly on social media.