Etale recounts Kalonzo’s near-death ordeal in 2023 Azimio la Umoja protests
By Mustafa Juma, May 21, 2025Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Director of Communications Philip Etale has recounted Wiper Democratic Movement party leader Kalonzo Musyoka’s near-death ordeal.
Taking to his official X account on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, Etale opened up on an incident that almost took Kalonzo’s life.
The former journalist narrated how an Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition party entourage encountered lorry loads of what he describes as overzealous anti-riot police officers, who descended on them without mercy, as they led Kenyans in the protests against the high cost of living in 2023.
Police attack
Etale says that as the Azimio procession snaked through Riverside, on to Pangani, and then to Juja Road, it came under attack just slightly after the Moi Airbase.
“The Hon. Kalonzo Musyoka, perhaps you may have forgotten one incident that almost took you out courtesy of Riggy G’s firm orders. My car was two behind yours, as we demonstrated in 2023 over the high cost of living. The procession snaked through Riverside, on to Pangani, and then to Juja Road.
“The reception by angry and hungry Kenyans was enormous. Just slightly after the Moi Airbase, the convoy of over 500 vehicles that was escorted by thousands of Kenyans chanting anti-government slogans was confronted by lorry loads of overzealous anti-riot police officers; shortly thereafter, water cannons emerged from alleys in Mathare and Huruma Estate,” Etale narrated.
He went ahead to state that shortly after being confronted by the anti-riot police officers, water cannons emerged from alleys in Mathare and Huruma Estate as the Azimio entourage, led by Raila Odinga, defiantly continued with the procession.
Kalonzo targeted
The police then lobbed several tear gas canisters into Kalonzo‘s car, shattering the back shield and windows. For some minutes, Etale says Kalonzo passed out because of the gas that had filled his car and was helped out by his security personnel with the help of some youths.
He says Kalonzo came out of the vehicle in a very bad state.
“As we defiantly continued with the processions with DJ Spider playing music of encouragement, the cops lobbed several tear gas canisters into your car, shattering the back shield and windows. You, for some minutes, passed out because of the gas that had filled your car. Your security personnel, with the help of some youths, helped you out. You came out of the vehicle in a bad state,” Etale stated.
Moreover, Etale argues that the police thought the Azimio leaders would suffocate to death inside their cars.
He also says the police were acting on the orders of the then Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, faulting Kalonzo for associating with him.
“I have not forgotten how KDD, in which I was riding, was attacked by cops. They thought we would suffocate to death. But who is God? We got out sound and safe but with (me in particular) breathing problems because of my past experience with COVID-19 that had me admitted to the hospital for a whole month, ten days in the ICU. Surely, with that experience and going by stories that we heard from the police that HE Hon. Rigathi Gachagua gave explicit instructions to deal with demonstrators and even ‘if possible’ take some out, I will be the last person to sit down with him, nay you, Your Excellency,” he wrote on X.
