Deputy President Kithure Kindiki on Monday convened a pivotal consultative forum with Members of County Assemblies (MCAs) from the Ukambani region — but it was the bold presence of Wiper’s defiant Speakers from Kitui and Machakos, and the notable absence of Makueni Speaker Douglas Mbilu, that stirred political buzz.
The meeting, held at the Deputy President’s official residence in Karen, brought together over 70 MCAs drawn from Kitui, Machakos, and Makueni counties. However, Kitui Speaker Kevin Kinengo and Machakos Speaker Florence Mwangangi stood out as they led their full delegations to the high-level forum — a striking image given their close ties to opposition leader Kalonzo Musyoka’s Wiper Party.
“Consultations with grassroots leaders are not ceremonial. They are the core of our bottom-up transformation model,” Kindiki emphasized during the meeting.
He lauded the role of MCAs in shaping national priorities at the local level, adding that legislative reforms must now prioritize the autonomy of County Assemblies and better terms for their members.
“Our commitment to devolution will be measured by how we treat MCAs and the institutions they represent,” Kindiki said, calling for urgent national legislation to secure the independence and dignity of the assemblies.
While Kitui and Machakos turned up in full force, Speaker Douglas Mbilu of Makueni was noticeably absent despite his county’s delegation participating. The reasons behind Mbilu’s no-show remain unclear, though insiders hint at political caution, given the forum’s links to the Kenya Kwanza administration.
The presence of the two Defiant Wiper Speakers — known for their vocal support of the opposition and strong grip on their respective assemblies — at the Deputy President’s table has triggered speculation of possible political re-alignments or pragmatic cooperation in pursuit of development for the Ukambani region.
The meeting ended with a mutual commitment to deepen grassroots engagement and unlock stalled national government development projects across the three counties.
Whether the show of cooperation marks the beginning of a new chapter in Ukambani politics remains to be seen — but for now, DP Kindiki has successfully drawn two of Wiper’s most defiant county leaders into the national conversation.
Today’s meeting comes against the backdrop of fresh political tension, with Kitui Speaker Kevin Kinengo recently alleging that the Wiper Party is actively plotting to impeach him. Speaking during an exclusive interview on a local TV station, Kinengo claimed that Wiper has been scheming for his ouster since his election, accusing party insiders of undermining his leadership.
“Let them bring it on,” Kinengo declared defiantly, adding that Kalonzo Musyoka never supported his bid for the Speaker’s seat, a revelation that underscores the deepening rift between Wiper’s national leadership and some of its elected county officials.
