The corridors of Kitui County’s administration have been abuzz with controversy as Finance CECM Peter Mwikya Kilonzo finds himself at the center of a storm that has culminated in a motion to remove him from office. Sources within the Wiper Party, which enjoys a majority in the County Assembly, reveal a behind-the-scenes campaign to address what they describe as “irreparable damage” caused by Kilonzo’s alleged mismanagement and misconduct.
According to party insiders, the move to oust Kilonzo was not a hasty decision but the result of mounting frustration over his handling of the county’s finances. Allegations of inflated revenue projections, delayed financial reports, and questionable dealings with contractors have plagued his tenure, creating a perception of incompetence and corruption.
One of the most damning accusations is Kilonzo’s alleged involvement in personally benefiting from county-funded projects. Reports suggest that he influenced the drilling of public boreholes on his family’s land, a move insiders say was a blatant abuse of office. “This was the final straw for many MCAs,” a Wiper insider disclosed. “The Assembly could no longer sit back and watch as the public lost trust in the county’s leadership.”
Additionally, claims have surfaced that Kilonzo demanded kickbacks from contractors in exchange for clearing payments, further deepening the crisis. While these allegations remain unproven, the optics have been damaging enough for the Wiper Party to act decisively.
The motion to remove Kilonzo, tabled by Kiomo MCA Anthony Musyimi Musyoka, has sent shockwaves through Kitui’s political landscape. The notice cited gross misconduct, abuse of office, and incompetence as grounds for removal, accusing the CECM of violating key constitutional and legal provisions.
Wiper Party insiders suggest the decision to back the motion was driven by a need to protect the party’s reputation and reassure its supporters of its commitment to accountability. “We cannot allow a few individuals to tarnish the party’s image,” said the source. “This is about restoring public confidence in our leadership.”
As the County Assembly gears up to debate the motion, the political future of Peter Kilonzo hangs in the balance. While his allies argue that the move is politically motivated, the Wiper Party appears determined to draw a line in the sand, signaling its intolerance for scandals within its ranks.
For Kitui residents, the unfolding drama represents a critical test of leadership and accountability in their county government. All eyes are now on the Assembly, where a decision on Kilonzo’s fate could set a powerful precedent for governance in Kitui County.
