Senior Counsel Ahmednasir Abdullahi has defended former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka following his heckling at the Linda Mwananchi Movement headquarters launch in Nairobi, arguing that booing and heckling are part of Kenya's political culture.
In a statement commenting on the incident, Ahmednasir dismissed the criticism surrounding the treatment of the Wiper Democratic Movement leader, saying attempts to portray him as unable to withstand public criticism were unfair.
The lawyer maintained that politicians should expect hostile reactions from audiences, particularly during public political gatherings, describing such confrontations as part of the country's political environment.
"I don't get at all the hullabaloo about the heckling of Hon Kalonzo Musyoka by young boys and girls during the launch of Linda Mwananchi last Friday," Ahmednasir said.
He added that the attempt to portray the former Vice President as having a political glass jaw was misplaced, insisting that he was capable of handling political pressure.
"The attempt to paint Hon Musyoka as having a political glass jaw is totally uncalled for and unfair. Musyoka is a tough cookie," he stated.
Kalonzo was heckled on Friday, October 30, during the unveiling of the Linda Mwananchi Movement headquarters in Lavington, Nairobi, amid disagreements over the opposition's 2027 presidential ambitions.
The confrontation erupted after DAP-K party leader Eugene Wamalwa appeared to endorse Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna for the opposition's presidential ticket.
When Kalonzo addressed the gathering, he challenged the suggestion that Sifuna had already been settled on as the opposition's flagbearer, arguing that the movement needed to follow its consultation and decision-making procedures.
He reminded Sifuna that the movement's National Delegates Council was scheduled for November 13, suggesting that a presidential candidate should not be declared before the relevant processes were completed.
His remarks triggered chants of "Sifuna President!" from sections of the audience, forcing Sifuna to intervene and appeal for calm so that Kalonzo could continue speaking.
The incident subsequently attracted reactions from political leaders, with some questioning the treatment of the former Vice President while others defended the crowd's right to express its political preferences.
The disagreement has highlighted the challenges facing opposition leaders as they seek to agree on a common candidate ahead of the 2027 General Election.