A former Kitui MCA who resigned to become the Kitui County Assembly clerk has opened up about the decision that has set the stage for a political showdown between President William Ruto and Wiper Patriotic Front (WPF) leader Kalonzo Musyoka .
Harrison Maluki was the Migwani Ward representative until he resigned on August 6, triggering a by-election that has quickly become a test of political influence in Kitui ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has scheduled the poll for November 17, with jostling for party tickets already intensifying.
“Political parties intending to present candidates in the by-election through indirect nominations shall submit the list of persons nominated to contest in the by-election to the Commission on or before Monday, October 12, 2026,” reads a section of the gazette notice published by the IEBC on September 23.
Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka addresses party delegates at Wiper House in Nairobi on April 24, 2025.
Photo credit: Francis Nderitu | Nation Media Group
Mr Maluki succeeded Mr Elijah Mutambuki who had served as the Kitui Assembly clerk since the advent of devolution.
“When I applied and sat an interview to fill the vacant position upon Mutambuki's retirement, I scored the highest marks,” Mr Maluki told the Daily Nation in a recent interview.
Mr Maluki's resignation was the culmination of months of soul searching and consultations. The 34-year-old computer scientist says he had to weigh his political ambitions against an opportunity for personal and professional growth.
“Some of the voters in Migwani Ward are disappointed with my decision to resign but I have been reaching out to them. Gladly, some have begun realising that I am in a better position to serve them,” he said.
According to IEBC’s Mwingi West constituency head Julius Maingi, Migwani Ward had 14,678 registered voters spread across 42 polling stations in 2022.
The ward is divided into three political regions of Migwani, Mumbuni and Nzeluni which have traditionally behaved differently at election time.
“Mumbuni is the least populated of the three political regions. However, it has produced MCAs twice. It presents fewer candidates compared to the other two regions,” said Bernard Ngau, a businessman in Migwani Township who has followed local politics for years.
A spot check by the Daily Nation found that Mr Maluki’s resignation has not gone down well with some residents who believe the youthful politician was building a promising political career.
But his decision has also opened a new front in the political rivalry between Mr Musyoka and allies of President Ruto.
Mr Musyoka has described the resignation and the subsequent by-election as a machination by Mr Maluki and Kitui County Assembly Speaker Kinengo Katisya, aimed at “siphoning money from President Ruto”.
“You should collect the money but vote to demonstrate that you are ready to bring the presidency home,” Mr Musyoka told supporters who had gathered at his Kitui rural home a week ago.
Mr Maluki’s strained relationship with Mr Musyoka became increasingly visible during his final days as an MCA after the youthful politician began associating with allies of President Ruto.
Although he was elected on Mr Musyoka’s Wiper party ticket and rose to become Kitui Majority Leader, Mr Maluki says his political role model was the late Orange Democratic Movement leader Raila Odinga.
President William Ruto speaks during a prayer service at the Voice of Salvation and Healing Church in Kisumu on September 13, 2026.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation Media Group
“The late Raila Odinga was unmatched when it comes to championing the rights of his people. One of the key lessons we should pick from Mr Odinga is that once an election is over, leaders should cross ranks and work together to empower the electorate. We cannot afford to politic forever,” he said.
His position marks a clear departure from the hardline politics traditionally associated with Mr Musyoka’s camp.
“Leadership is not about political parties. It is about personality, character and capability. Since all the candidates belong to the ward, we should look at the best one to take the ward forward,” he said.
But political analysts expect the November 17 contest to be less about the individual candidates and more about the wider battle for political influence ahead of 2027.
Mr Musyoka insists the ward should elect a Wiper candidate turning the by-election into an early test of his political dominance in his Kitui backyard.
Those eyeing the party’s ticket include former Migwani MCA Patrick Munyithya Kani, Munywoki Mwangangi and Susan Mueni Nzoka
The party led by former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has picked Catherine Mwende as its candidate. Besides benefiting from the party’s gender pitch, Ms Mwende comes from the vote-rich Migwani region and is banking heavily on Mr Sonko, who has close relatives in the Nzeluni area.
The two have accused the WPF leader of attempting to limit voters’ constitutional right to choose their preferred candidate.
“WPF should give Migwani Ward voters an opportunity to elect their preferred MCA. We are not interested in party politics,” Mr Katisya said.
The youthful politician is emerging as the face of a group of Mr Musyoka’s erstwhile allies who are seeking to chart a new political path in Kitui.
Allies of President Ruto, including Mwingi West MP Charles Nguna and former Kitui Senator David Musila, see the by-election as an opportunity to challenge Mr Musyoka’s dominance in the county.
They are seeking to turn Migwani into an early political battleground ahead of the 2027 presidential contest, with national government development projects forming a key part of their campaign pitch.
Among them is the ongoing tarmacking of the Kwa Siku-Migwani-Mbondoni road, which supporters of the administration say will unlock the region’s economic potential.
For some residents, the road project has already provided a tangible reason to back the administration.
“Migwani by-election will be an opportunity to thank President Ruto for significantly transforming my life,” said Alice Mutwa, a 60-year-old greengrocer in Migwani Township.
Ms Mutwa is among dozens of residents who received millions of shillings in compensation last week after the Kenya National Highways Authority acquired portions of their land or demolished homes and shops to pave the way for the road.
