Kitui County Assembly Speaker Kelvin Kinengo has ignited a political storm after boldly declaring his support for President William Ruto’s government, signaling a major defection from Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka’s camp.
“We are ready to face the music.”
Kinengo made the statement on Thursday during a major empowerment event in Zombe, Kitui East, attended by top Kenya Kwanza leaders. In a direct revelation, Kinengo told President Ruto’s aide Farouk Kibet — in front of the crowd — that he and 44 MCAs had been threatened following their visit to State House last month.
“I told Farouk Kibet here today that we received threats after the State House meeting. But we will not be cowed.”
The State House meeting, which brought together Lower Eastern leaders, drew backlash from Wiper loyalists and sparked calls for Kinengo’s impeachment by those angered by his growing ties with the national government.
His declaration comes just a day after he held a private consultative meeting with President William Ruto at State House, Nairobi, in the company of Machakos County Assembly Speaker Anne Kiusya. The Wednesday meeting focused on preparations for the President’s visit to Ukambani and ongoing development plans.
“I will fully and unconditionally support the President as he does development in Kitui County for the benefit of our people,” said Kinengo.
The empowerment event was graced by Kitui Deputy Governor Augustine Wambua, Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, National Assembly Deputy Majority Leader Owen Baya, MPs Nimrod Mbai (Kitui East), Vincent Musyoka (Mwala), Fabian Kyule (Kangundo), Mwengi Mutuse (Kibwezi West), Caleb Mule (Machakos Town), Rachael Nyamai (Kitui South), Joshua Mwalyo (Masinga), Nominated Senator Tabitha Mutinda, Livestock PS Jonathan Mueke, and the President’s aide Farouk Kibet.
Also present were over 32 Members of the Kitui County Assembly, led by Speaker Kinengo, and several grassroots leaders.
The event highlighted major infrastructure and electrification initiatives under the Kenya Kwanza government. These include connecting 18,000 new households to electricity in Kitui County — with 1,500 in Kitui East alone — and allocating Ksh 800 million to compensate those affected by the Kibwezi–Mutomo–Kitui Road. Construction of the Zombe–Kyuluni Road is also set to begin.
As the political temperature rises in Kitui, the spotlight now shifts to Kalonzo Musyoka and the Wiper Party’s next move. Will they act to discipline Kinengo and the MCAs, or are the winds of change sweeping across Ukambani politics?
