Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka speaks in Emali, Makueni county. DENISH OCHIENG

Kalonzo Musyoka has announced plans to rebrand his party as the Wiper Patriotic Front (WPF).

Speaking during a meet-the-people tour of Ukambani on Friday, Kalonzo said the rebrand is intended to give the party a national outlook by incorporating young Kenyans, popularly known as Gen Z.

He urged the younger generation to seize the opportunity and register as members of the party.

“The party now has a new face – Wiper is going national. The new name will be Wiper Patriotic Front (WPF) so that our Gen Z are fully included,” Kalonzo said during a stop in Emali, Makueni County.

He was accompanied by fellow united opposition members, including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka.

Kalonzo explained that the name reflects the spirit of patriotism demonstrated by Gen Z last year when they united and rose up against the Kenya Kwanza government in protest of proposed tax increases.

“That is why we’re promoting this ideology — we’re calling it the Patriotic Front. We will officially launch it after our brother Gachagua unveils his Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP),” he said.

In preparation for the launch, Kalonzo called on party supporters to register in large numbers, aiming to increase membership from the current one million to three or even four million.

The Wiper leader reiterated that the united opposition will mark 25 June as a national liberation day in honour of the Gen Z protesters who lost their lives during the Occupy Parliament demonstrations.

Kalonzo also criticised ODM leader Raila Odinga for choosing to work with the Kenya Kwanza government despite its heavy-handed response to the protests.

He expressed disbelief that Raila was asking the government to compensate victims while, in his view, aligning himself with the very regime responsible for the violence.

“I’m glad you stood firm and said I shouldn’t join that government. Our young people were killed while peacefully protesting — carrying only the national flag, phones, and bottles of water. Yet no one has been arrested or held accountable. Our own Rex Masai, from right here in Machakos, was the first to be killed,” Kalonzo said.