Kalonzo outlines key steps to transform Kenya into a Singapore‑style nation
By Kenneth Mwenda, December 6, 2025Wiper leader Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka has called on Kenyans to embrace deliberate planning, drawing lessons from Raila’s late sister Beryl Odinga’s work in urban development.
He took it to his social media accounts on Saturday, December 6, 2025, while at her burial in Bondo, where several opposition leaders gathered to console the Odinga family.
Kalonzo said Beryl’s professional life offered a blueprint for transforming Kenya’s cities into orderly, efficient, and humane spaces. He noted that Kenya could only achieve the level of development seen in Singapore through careful planning, disciplined governance, and attention to infrastructure, transport, housing, and environmental management.
“As we gather to honour our sister, Beryl Achieng Odinga, we remember not only her warmth and intellect, but also her profound contribution to urban planning and sustainable development.,” Kalonzo said.
“Beryl understood something that Kenya must urgently embrace: That cities do not grow by accident; they grow by design. Her work consistently emphasised the principles of order, functionality, dignity, and beauty in urban spaces.”
“If Kenya truly desires to become the Singapore we often hear about – a nation of efficiency, world-class infrastructure, and orderly urban centres — then we must adopt the kind of planning ethos that guided Beryl’s professional life.”
“We must plan our transport systems, housing, public spaces, water and sanitation, and environmental management with the same clarity of thought and discipline she advocated for. Great nations are built on deliberate planning, not improvisation.”
“Her legacy challenges us to rethink how we plan our major towns — Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Eldoret, and beyond — so that we can build cities that are not only productive, but humane.”
Justice for youth demands
During his speech at the burial, Kalonzo also called for justice for past injustices. Speaking directly to CS Opiyo Wandayi, Kalonzo stressed that unresolved issues in the NADCO report must be addressed, particularly for the youth killed during protests in 2023 and 2024.
“Tulikuwa na ye katika NADCO… One of the things we say, kwamba wale watoto waliuawa in 2023, over 73 of them… ata kabla ya Gen Z in 2024, ni lazima watoto hawa walipwe rithaa,” he said.
He made one of the most powerful statements of the day, recalling attempts on his life and Raila Odinga’s during the 2023 political crisis.
“You know… I’m waiting to see justice done. Because Raila na mimi karibu tuuawe na Martha Karua in 2023. And our people died. So we cannot… tusije tukakumbatia vitu ambavyo vita kuja kudhulumu the values,” Kalonzo said.
The veteran politician highlighted the long-standing values of the Odinga family and the opposition movement. He emphasised that unity among ODM, Wiper, and allied parties had kept the government accountable and that these principles must continue to guide political action.
“The values that hold us together are so deep that they cannot be wished away… May the good Lord rest the soul of our sister Beryl in eternal peace,” he said.
DAP–Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa, who also attended the funeral, expressed support for Oburu Oginga’s push to fully implement the NADCO report. Wamalwa noted the presence of three members of the dialogue team at the burial, stressing the importance of justice for victims of past protests.
“Vijana wetu wa Azimio waliouawa kwa maandamano ya 2023. Vijana wetu Gen Z waliouawa kwa maandamano ya 2024 Finance Bill. Over 200 youth, many of them from Nyanza, lost their lives. Tunakuunga mkono, Mheshimiwa Oburu, ukisema ya kwamba the NADCO report, na haswa justice for the victims, iweze kutendeka,” Wamalwa said.