NLP Party Leader Dr Augustus Kyalo Muli on Wednesday travelled to Laikipia County to attend the burial of the late father of former Mungiki leader Maina Njenga, an event that has since ignited political debate over emerging alliances as Kenya heads into a fully loaded political year in 2026 and the 2027 General Election.
Dr Muli was seen alongside Maina Njenga, Lawyer Ndegwa Njiru—a senior official of the Wiper Democratic Movement—and politician James Wanjohi, a political combination that observers say reflects the rapidly shifting pre-2027 political terrain.
A Burial With Political Undertones
While the Laikipia trip is explicitly a burial ceremony, seasoned political observers note that such gatherings often provide space for informal political engagement. Dr Muli’s presence alongside figures drawn from different political and ideological backgrounds has fueled speculation that “white smoke” may already be rising, signalling that NLP is positioning itself to join like-minded political alliances ahead of 2026.
“When leaders from rival or competing political camps appear together at such events, it often points to quiet conversations happening beneath the surface,” a political analyst noted.
NLP’s Expanding National Reach
Under Dr Muli’s leadership, the NLP Party has developed a strong national outlook, distancing itself from the label of a regional outfit. The party has opened branches in more than 30 counties, with at least 35 operational offices across county and sub-county levels, a network that continues to expand.
NLP also boasts over 350,000 registered members, a growing base that has elevated the party’s bargaining power in national coalition calculations.
Lower Eastern: A Shifting Political Equation
The party’s most formidable support remains in the Lower Eastern region, where NLP has built deep grassroots structures. In Kitui, Machakos and Makueni counties, political analysts say NLP’s steady rise is increasingly threatening Wiper Democratic Movement’s long-standing dominance, turning what were once predictable political strongholds into competitive arenas.
The optics of Dr Muli sharing space with a senior Wiper official at the Laikipia burial have further intensified debate on whether Lower Eastern politics may be headed for a realignment.
Reading the White Smoke
As Kenya enters an intense political build-up in 2026, insiders say Dr Muli appears focused on positioning NLP as a consensus-driven party capable of working across regions and political traditions.
Rather than rushing into formal declarations, NLP’s leadership seems intent on testing the waters, building trust, and assembling a coalition of shared interests ahead of 2027.
The Road to 2027
Whether the Laikipia burial will mark the beginning of formal political alignments remains to be seen. However, political observers agree that Dr Augustus Muli’s movements are no longer coincidental.
From consolidating a strong Lower Eastern base to quietly engaging national players, NLP appears to be marching steadily toward broader alliances, with 2026 shaping up as a decisive year and 2027 firmly in sight.
In Kenyan politics, white smoke rarely rises without a message.
