The Wiper Democratic Movement has convened a high-stakes crisis meeting next week to resolve the growing standoff over the Kitui gubernatorial ticket, Channel 15 News can exclusively reveal.
Reliable sources within the Wiper Party Secretariat confirm that the meeting follows weeks of intense lobbying and rising tension among three party heavyweights—Dr. Makali Mulu, Dr. Irene Kasalu, and Senator Enoch Kiio Wambua—all fiercely eyeing the 2027 Wiper ticket to succeed Governor Julius Malombe.
“The situation is delicate. There are serious interests at play, and the meeting is meant to prevent a possible fallout,” a top Wiper insider privy to the plans told Channel 15 News.
Already, sharp divisions have emerged over the method to pick the Wiper flagbearer. Senator Kiio Wambua is pushing for consensus-building, warning that open nominations could deepen divisions and weaken the party ahead of the general elections.
On the other hand, Kitui Woman Representative Dr. Irene Kasalu has flatly rejected any attempts at backroom deals. Kasalu insists that anything short of a nomination by Wiper members through universal suffrage or scientifically-conducted opinion polls amounts to an affront to democracy.
“This seat belongs to the people of Kitui, not a few individuals in Nairobi. Let the people decide,” a source from Kasalu’s camp told Channel 15 News.
Powerful Secretariat Forces at Play
Insiders privy to last week’s Wiper Secretariat meeting revealed to Channel 15 News that a fresh power game is unfolding behind the scenes. Some leaders close to Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka are quietly pushing for a compromise—proposing that Dr. Makali Mulu and Dr. Kasalu strike a working alliance, leaving Senator Kiio to concentrate fully on Kalonzo’s national presidential campaigns.
However, the real power play is brewing within Kalonzo’s inner circle. According to sources deeply embedded in the Secretariat, there’s growing pressure to hand Dr. Kasalu the Wiper ticket.
Kasalu’s surging favor within the party is attributed to her expansive grassroots networks across Kitui, her unwavering loyalty to Kalonzo, and her tested political discipline—traits party insiders compare to Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti’s trusted loyalty to the Wiper boss.
“The truth is, Kalonzo needs loyal generals in his 2027 matrix. Kasalu fits that mold perfectly. She won’t rock the boat like others might,” a senior Wiper official told Channel 15 News.
Makali Mulu’s Silent Push for the Direct Ticket
Meanwhile, Dr. Makali Mulu remains unmoved. According to his allies, the seasoned economist and three-term Kitui Central MP believes his long-standing service, political seniority, and loyalty to the Wiper Party earn him the right to a direct ticket.
“Makali is the most senior in this race. He has been with Kalonzo through thick and thin. If loyalty counts, then the ticket is his,” a source close to the MP told Channel 15 News.
Makali’s camp is banking on his national profile, technocratic credentials, and deep party roots to tilt the scales in his favor during the meeting.
A Crowded Field Awaiting the Wiper Decision
The looming decision is further complicated by a growing list of potential Kitui gubernatorial contenders. Former Governor Charity Ngilu, former Cabinet Secretary Peninah Malonza, and Safaricom Chief Corporate Security Officer Nicholas Mulila are all rumored to be warming up for the race—factors that raise the stakes for whoever clinches the Wiper ticket.
Political analysts warn that failure to manage the fallout could not only split the party but also expose Wiper’s soft underbelly in Kitui—traditionally considered Kalonzo Musyoka’s political stronghold.
For Kalonzo, the Kitui race is more than just a county battle—it is a litmus test of his control over the Ukambani bloc as he sets his sights on the 2027 presidential race.
Additional Reporting By Channel 15 News Political Desk
