By Kasee Musya
The Wiper Democratic Movement has long held an unshakeable grip on Kitui County politics, with its influence shaping electoral outcomes and governance for years. However, a shift in the county’s political dynamics now poses a serious threat to the party’s dominance. A combination of fractured leadership, internal dissent, and growing opposition to the party’s authority raises the pressing question: Is Wiper losing its stronghold in Kitui?
Central to this conversation is Speaker Kevin Kinengo, whose rapid rise has disrupted the political order. In a county where Wiper commands an overwhelming number of elected leaders, one would expect these officials to guard the party’s interests fiercely. Yet, Speaker Kinengo’s growing influence suggests otherwise, leaving observers questioning the party’s ability to maintain cohesion among its ranks.
Wiper’s elected leaders, such as Senator Enoch Kiio, Kitui Central MP Hon. Makali Mulu, and Woman Representative Hon. Irene Kasalu, have been conspicuously silent as Kinengo consolidates power. This apparent indifference is puzzling. In political strongholds like ODM’s Luo Nyanza or Kenya Kwanza’s Rift Valley, defiance against the leadership is swiftly countered. Why, then, has Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka allowed such open challenges to persist in Kitui, his political backyard?
The recent appointment of Hon. Katonyi and Hon. Ngoima as Majority and Deputy Majority Leaders was a calculated move by Wiper to restore order. However, it raises questions about the roles of key Wiper leaders. Did Senator Kiio and others actively push for these appointments and rally MCAs to support them, or did they merely watch as Speaker Kinengo outmaneuvered the party by rallying a majority of MCAs to his camp? This lack of coordination underscores a deeper problem within Wiper’s leadership.
Governor Julius Malombe and his administration also share the blame for Wiper’s current predicament. By failing to strategically support Hon. Katonyi and Hon. Ngoima, they have left the duo exposed and unable to counter Kinengo’s growing influence. Strong backing from the county executive could have empowered them to assert their roles and reinforce Wiper’s authority, but this critical support has been absent.
The stakes are high for Wiper. If Speaker Kinengo’s influence continues unchecked, the party risks not only losing control of the County Assembly but also its credibility as the dominant political force in Kitui. This would embolden opposition forces and erode Wiper’s support base, with significant implications for the 2027 elections. The party’s leaders must act decisively to reclaim their authority and reassert their dominance.
Wiper’s survival in Kitui hinges on a united front. Hon. Katonyi and Hon. Ngoima cannot face this challenge alone—they need unwavering support from Wiper’s elected leaders, the county executive, and grassroots organizers. Without swift and coordinated action, Speaker Kinengo’s ascendancy could become a turning point in Kitui’s political history, marking the decline of Wiper’s hegemony in the region.
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