Wiper Patriotic Front (WPF) is facing an early test of its grassroots support in Migwani Ward after several former aspirants defected to the National Liberal Party (NLP) and endorsed its candidate, Andrew Kaleli, ahead of the November 17 by-election.
The defectors were received by NLP party leader Augustus Kyalo Muli during a meeting in Migwani, where they pledged to mobilise their supporters behind Kaleli, potentially reshaping local political alliances in the run-up to the poll.
The former aspirants blamed their departure on what they described as frustrations with WPF’s nomination process, alleging that individuals they identified as party brokers demanded money and undermined a fair candidate selection process. The allegations have not been independently verified.
“We were conned out of our money by WPF brokers, and to make matters worse, they brought in someone who is not even from Migwani Ward and tried to impose him on us,” one of the aspirants said.
The claims place the party’s nomination process under scrutiny as competing political formations seek to consolidate support in the ward. The number of defectors, their grassroots networks and their ability to transfer support to Kaleli will be critical in determining the political impact of the move.
The contest is also unfolding against the backdrop of shifting political loyalties in Mwingi West. United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has assembled a campaign team in the ward, reportedly led locally by area MP Charles Nguna, popularly known as CNN.
Nguna was elected on a Wiper ticket but has since shifted his political support to President William Ruto’s UDA, adding another layer to the contest as rival parties position themselves ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking during the meeting, Muli urged leaders to focus on residents’ development priorities and warned against political intimidation and violence.
“This by-election must be about the people of Migwani and their development agenda. We must reject the politics of imposition and money. I also caution all leaders and supporters against violence,” Muli said.
Kaleli’s political links could also shape the contest. He previously served as a personal assistant to former Kitui Senator David Musila, a veteran politician with a longstanding presence in Mwingi West politics.
Whether that association translates into electoral support remains uncertain, but the endorsement by former aspirants gives Kaleli an opportunity to strengthen his campaign as parties compete to build local coalitions.
The November 17 by-election is therefore shaping up as an important measure of the rival parties’ organisational strength and ability to manage internal competition. For Wiper, the defections present a challenge to its local mobilisation efforts; for NLP, the task will be to turn the new endorsements into votes at the ballot.
With campaigns expected to intensify, Migwani residents will ultimately determine whether the shifting alliances translate into a decisive electoral advantage.
