The political rivalry in Ukambani is heating up as National Liberal Party (NLP) leader Dr. Augustus Kyalo Muli and Wiper Party boss Kalonzo Musyoka clash publicly over President William Rutoโs nomination of Erastus Edung Ethekon as the new chair of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
Kalonzo, while rejecting the nomination, warned that Ethekonโs appointment could undermine public trust in Kenyaโs electoral process ahead of the 2027 elections.
โThis move by the President risks eroding the little faith Kenyans have in the IEBC. We cannot afford another commission whose independence is in doubt,โ Kalonzo said.
But Dr. Muli has hit back strongly, accusing Kalonzo of using the issue to score political points while ignoring deeper regional concerns.
โKalonzo is playing bad political games with the community. The truth is, the entire Lower Eastern region was left out in the IEBC appointments, yet heโs not raising that issue,โ Muli stated. โOur people have no representation, and itโs time we stop pretending everything is fine.โ
The sharp exchange comes at a time when the battle for the Ukambani vote is intensifying. Both Wiper and NLP are locked in aggressive grassroots mobilization efforts, with NLP reportedly making significant inroads. Sources on the ground say NLPโs ongoing registration drive, now one month old, is attracting a growing number of new members across Kitui, Machakos, and Makueni counties , traditionally Wiper strongholds.
Observers note that the latest spat reflects a deeper political shift in the region, where Wiper’s long-standing dominance is facing new pressure from emerging parties like NLP, which are positioning themselves as credible alternatives.
โThe IEBC issue is just a spark โ the real fire is the scramble for Ukambaniโs political future,โ said a local analyst. โWhat weโre witnessing is a reshaping of grassroots loyalties ahead of 2027.โ
As the IEBC nomination heads to Parliament for vetting, the political temperature in Ukambani is likely to remain high, with both Kalonzo and Muli keen to prove who truly commands the regionโs support.
