Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka says he risks losing the opposition presidential ticket race should the Wiper Patriotic Front (WPF) candidate lose the by-election in Mumbuni North Ward in Machakos County.
The seat fell vacant in 2023 following the death of Gideon Kavuu who had been elected on a Maendeleo Chap Chap Party ticket, ushering in a period of intense campaigns to replace him.
Speaking on Tuesday at the inaugural Machakos Youth Service graduation ceremony in Machakos Town, Mr Musyoka pleaded with voters to vote for Wiper candidate, Anthony Kisoi.
“If Wiper loses the Mumbuni North Ward seat, DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua, Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, former Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i would say, ‘Kalonzo wants to become the president of Kenya when he cannot deliver a ward seat’. Save me from the embarrassment. They have set a trap. Help me jump it,” he said.
Machakos Senator Agnes Kavindu and Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi have separately maintained that the Mumbuni North Ward by-election is a dress rehearsal for the 2027 presidential race.
“A victory for Mr Kisoi will tell Mr Gachagua and the other opposition principals that Mr Musyoka should be the opposition presidential flagbearer because he is respected in the Ukambani region and the entire country,” Ms Kavindu said at a recent campaign rally.
Mr Mwangangi recently said that, “We should use the forthcoming Mumbuni North Ward by-election to sustain protests started by the youth against President William Ruto's administration.”
The campaigns have caused friction among allies of President Ruto in the region after the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and Maendeleo Chap Chap parties fielded separate candidates.
UDA has fronted Machakos businessman Misi Mutua while Maendeleo Chap Chap Party, which is associated with Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua, has fronted businessman Harrison Wambua as its candidate.
The three businessmen come from different corners of the ward. Although Mr Kisoi is relatively younger than his challengers, Mr Mutua comes from the vote-rich Mung’ala region. Analysts say that party affiliation is set to play a key role in determining the outcome of the poll.
Maendeleo Chap Chap party claims it is entitled to the vacant seat as the late Kavuu was elected on its ticket. A campaign team led by Dr Mutua has projected Mr Wambua as a development-conscious leader with the interests of the ward at heart. Rivalry between Dr Mutua and Mwala MP Vincent Kawaya has affected the campaigns by Mr Wambua and Mr Mutua.
A third term MP elected on UDA party ticket, Mr Kawaya has not lost a chance to criticise Dr Mutua and his lieutenants. He has, on several occasions, asked Dr Mutua to fold up the Maendeleo Chap Chap party and join UDA “if you truly support President Ruto”.
Wiper expects to take advantage of this rivalry to assert its dominance in the region by delivering the MCA seat.
“Let us rally behind Mr Kisoi because his victory is not just his alone; it is a win for our party leader, Mr Musyoka, and a proud victory for the entire Kamba community,” Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti said.
