Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka is secretly scheming to win back Kitui governor’s seat held by his political rival Charity Ngilu. The incumbent Ngilu floored Kalonzo ally former governor Julius Malombe on a Narc party ticket. Ngilu who had by run-up to 2017 election mended fences with Kalonzo capitalized on her populist politics and experience to win the seat in Kalonzo’s home county. Ngilu also utilized the infighting in Wiper party pitting former senator David Musila and Malombe that had split Wiper support in the county to clinch the seat. However, matters are bad for the governor especially that she broke ranks with Kalonzo on several occasions. Kalonzo has vowed to end her political career and is seriously packaging his candidate with word that he is still stuck with former governor Malombe to face Ngilu in 2022.
Julius Malombe
In the last polls, Kalonzo’s headache was how to manage both Malombe and Musila who were his lieutenants and were fighting for the Wiper ticket. The chaotic nominations which saw Musila decamp from Wiper and contest as an independent candidate played to the advantage of Ngilu. The Wiper nominations fiasco which ended up with Malombe clinching the ticket revived the Kitui-Mwingi rivalry that dates back since independence. Musila who hails from Mwingi consolidated the Mwingi votes with both Ngilu and Malombe sharing the populous Kitui votes. Ngilu who had served for long as Kitui Central MP galvanized the Kitui votes against Malombe who had no early political experience. Malombe’s undoing was that he was poor in political messaging and lacked charisma as compared to Ngilu. However, he was credited with a sound development record. His development record still stands today, with voters yearning for his return.
Makali Mulu
Ngilu who is facing hostility from Kitui voters is blaming Kalonzo for her woes. She is at war with MCAs majority who are from Wiper party. The MCAs accuse Ngilu of overseeing blatant theft of county resources by her cronies and mostly relatives who control multimillion tenders in the county. Ngilu is also accused of favouring companies associated with his son-in-law in doing works in the county with the majority being paid for work not done. The onslaught by MCAs is getting out of hand with the recent action were the county leaders refused to approve Ngilu’s list of nominees for county public service board. The governor blamed it all on Kalonzo but the MCAs stuck with their decision and blamed Ngilu for engaging in sideshows. Those following Kitui politics say it will be hard for her to defend her seat and win comfortably now that Kalonzo has sharpened his daggers.
Kiema Kilonzo
The county boss apart from Kalonzo, has also fallen out with all Kitui MPs for failing to involve them in matters concerning the county. The MPs are busy campaigning for her ouster come 2022. As 2022 politics shape, already candidates are laying ground for the contest. Apart from Malombe who has Kalonzo blessings for the seat, others eyeing the same post are Kitui Central MP Makali Mulu and Kenya’s envoy to Uganda Kiema Kilonzo. Makali who is a two-term Wiper MP is a loyal Kalonzo ally and is keen on making a stab at county politics. However, his undoing is that he is yet to build strong county networks as compared to Malombe who served as a governor. Kiema who has declared interest ran for the county seat in 2013 but lost miserably to Malombe.
David Musila
His loss was attributed to his choice of the wrong party, which was hard to sell in Kitui county by then. He ran on a Jubilee ticket. He is now believed to be warming back to Wiper in preparation for 2022. However, his undoing is trying to build trust with Kalonzo whom he has betrayed just like Ngilu by decamping from Wiper. The shrewd politician is also caught up with envoy duties in Kampala and according to sources, he lacks time to revive his old networks after spending nearly seven years out of active politics. Kalonzo’s word will likely carry weight and whoever will win his support will be almost near the seat. Musila who defected from Wiper has quit politics due to age, according to sources.
