Wiper Patriotic Front party leader Kalonzo Musyoka.
President William Ruto's allies in Ukambani insist their fallout with Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka is political rather than personal, accusing him of allowing a small inner circle to dominate the party and turn it into a vehicle for handpicking candidates.
The leaders say they continue to respect Mr Musyoka as the region's senior political figure, but argue that Wiper has drifted away from internal democracy, forcing many aspirants to seek alternative political vehicles ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Leading the criticism is former State House Chief of Staff Nzioka Waita, who this year joined the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) after resigning as leader of Chama Cha Uzalendo (CCU), the party under which he unsuccessfully contested the Machakos governorship in 2022.
Mr Nzioka Waita during a past interview.
Mr Waita is preparing for a second bid for the seat, where he is expected to face Mavoko MP Patrick Makau, who is seeking the Wiper ticket. He says his disagreement with Mr Musyoka has never been personal, but stems from what he describes as attempts to predetermine the outcome of the Machakos gubernatorial race.
"First of all, I have great respect for the leader as my father, but this is where we part ways — by imposing a candidate on the people of Machakos," he said, addressing congregants at the African Brotherhood Church in Kisovo, Kathiani Sub-county, last month.
Mr Waita argued that leaders should be allowed to test their popularity through free, fair and competitive party primaries, instead of candidates being endorsed before members have a chance to vote. He accused the Wiper leadership of denying party members a fair opportunity to compete for elective positions, saying nominations should be earned through credible party primaries rather than endorsements from the top.
His remarks come amid persistent claims that Mr Musyoka has already settled on preferred candidates in several counties, including backing Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti for a second term. Mr Musyoka has not publicly endorsed Ms Ndeti despite the speculation.
Mr Waita said he opted to work with President Ruto after concluding that the Kenya Kwanza administration offered a better platform to pursue development projects for Machakos.
"I told the President that my desire is to uplift the people of Machakos. The current county government cannot deliver. I need support, and he assured me we would work together," Mr Waita said.
Mutuse: Focus on attracting development
Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse speaks during a funeral at Muatini Village in Makueni County on December 14, 2024.
Similar criticism has come from Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse, another prominent Kenya Kwanza ally in the region. Mr Mutuse argues that Ukambani leaders should stop treating the national government as a political adversary and instead focus on attracting development to the region.
According to him, residents have little to gain by remaining permanently in the opposition while the government continues rolling out roads, water projects, markets and other development programmes across the country.
"We are transforming Ukambani and Kenya through practical, visible and tangible development," Mr Mutuse said, highlighting projects launched during President Ruto's recent tour of the region.
Without naming specific individuals, the MP has repeatedly argued that political parties must allow members to compete freely, instead of permitting a few influential figures to determine candidates in advance.
The political discontent is not confined to Machakos. In Kitui, several senior Wiper leaders — including Senator Enoch Wambua, Kitui Central MP Makali Mulu and Woman Representative Irene Kasalu — are expected to battle for the party's gubernatorial ticket, setting the stage for what could become one of the party's most fiercely contested nominations.
Kitui East MP Nimrod Mbai has mounted an even sharper attack, accusing Mr Musyoka of relying on advisers who are misleading him politically. According to Mr Mbai, the Wiper leader risks alienating supporters if he continues listening to a small inner circle instead of ordinary party members.
"He cannot win the presidency alone," Mr Mbai said.
Kitui East MP Nimrod Mbithuka Mbai.
The legislator urged Mr Musyoka to rethink his political strategy by embracing cooperation with the national government instead of keeping Ukambani in perpetual opposition.
"The presidency requires someone who can invest heavily and traverse the country the way President Ruto has done," he said.
Mr Mbai maintains that the region loses development opportunities whenever its leaders isolate themselves from the national government for political reasons.
"I welcome Mr Musyoka to Kitui East and can even use my own resources to host him if he comes to campaign for the presidency. But he should not come to tell us who to elect as MCA, MP or governor. I will not allow that," he said.
Frustrations with Wiper
The criticism comes as political parties prepare for nominations ahead of the 2027 General Election, with aspirants increasingly demanding transparent and competitive nomination processes. Although Wiper has dismissed claims that it is imposing candidates, Kenya Kwanza leaders insist the growing dissatisfaction reflects deeper frustrations within the party.
Political analyst Kisilu Mutisya says many experienced politicians are drifting away not because they have lost respect for Mr Musyoka, but because they believe decision-making has become concentrated in the hands of a small circle around him. He argues that President Ruto's allies see an opportunity to make inroads into one of Wiper's traditional strongholds by capitalising on those internal grievances.
"For Mr Musyoka, the challenge will be convincing party members that Wiper remains open, democratic and committed to giving every aspirant an equal opportunity to compete for the party ticket ahead of the 2027 elections," Mr Mutisya said.
But Mr Musyoka has pushed back against the criticism. Speaking at a high-profile rally in his Ukambani stronghold as he intensified his campaign for 2027, he took aim at his rivals.
"Those who have chosen to walk with Ruto have politically sold out the Kamba people. This betrayal will not go unchallenged. We will reclaim our dignity and our rightful place in this nation," he said.
"Education is sinking, and yet they cannot voice concern about it. They are here telling us how things are working, what is working, when almost everything is wrong."
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