• In a statement on New Year's Eve, Kalonzo said 2023 has had some both challenging and at times overwhelming occurrences but all was not lost.
• He cited the deaths of Kenyans during protests and following the El Niño rains.
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Wiper Party leader and Azimio coalition co-principal Kalonzo Musyoka has asked Kenyans to remain hopeful in the new year.
In a statement on New Year's Eve, Kalonzo said 2023 has had some both challenging and at times overwhelming occurrences but all was not lost.
"Kenyans have lost their lives because of the Kenya Kwanza regime’s arrogant reaction to peaceful protests. They were overwhelmed to their graves," he said.
"The year has also seen the El Niño phenomenon visit us again. The elements of nature could not take orders from those in authority who denied its pending existence," he added.
According to the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA), 53 Kenyans died due to police brutality during the anti-government demonstrations called by the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition between July and August this year.
The deaths occurred during three days of protests called by the opposition coalition to protest against the high cost of living.
“Between Saba Saba and the ceasefire when dialogue started, we have received 237 complaints involving 359 complainers. Deaths we received are 57 that are under active investigations with some of them being at the tail end of the investigation,” IPOA Chair Ann Makori said in a statement following investigations conducted by the authority.
Police denied having a hand in the deaths with the government insisting that the officers deployed to contain protesters acted professionally.
Meanwhile, government data shows that at least 175 people died as a result of the El Niño rains and over 67,000 displaced as of December 20.
Kalonzo, however, urged Kenyans both at home and in foreign countries to keep a positive attitude going into 2024 and he wished them God's blessings in the new year.
"2024, I believe, will be a crucial year, indeed, a watershed moment for all of us," he said.
"As we welcome 2024, I wish my Fellow Kenyans God’s blessings whether we are Christians, Muslims or Hindus. All Kenyans, wherever you are here or abroad, please keep Hope Alive. We have only One Nation - our Motherland Kenya.
"Let us work hard to disabuse the country of wrong policies, greed and corruption."