Tensions rocked the Kitui County Assembly on Tuesday just moments before Governor Julius Malombe’s scheduled State of the County Address, as Speaker Kelvin Kinengo was forced to declare the Majority Whip position vacant following sustained pressure from Wiper Party MCAs.
The commotion broke out during the opening of the Assembly’s 4th session, with Wiper-allied MCAs demanding immediate communication of changes in Majority leadership. The changes, contained in a letter submitted by Township MCA Daniel Ngoima, proposed:
Hon. Daniel Ngoima (Township MCA) to take over as Majority Whip, replacing Hon. Bonface Mukwate (Kanyangi MCA)
Hon. Cyrus Kisavi Musyoka (Ikanga MCA) to replace Hon. Godfrey Muthengi Ndagara as Deputy Majority Whip
Hon. Munyoki Mwinzi (Kyuso MCA) to assume the role of Majority Leader, replacing Hon. Harrison Maluki
Speaker Kinengo acknowledged receiving the Wiper Party’s communication but explained that he required legal counsel before issuing a ruling on the Majority Leader position. However, under mounting pressure, he went ahead and declared the Majority Whip position vacant—a move that temporarily calmed the rowdy session.
The leadership shake-up comes despite a June 24, 2025 ruling by the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT), which upheld the positions of Mukwate and Maluki and temporarily barred the party from enforcing the proposed changes.
The standoff delayed the Governor’s address, which was initially set to begin at 2:00 PM but only started at 2:30 PM after the Speaker pleaded with members to allow the session to proceed and commit to resolving the leadership dispute later.
The Governor’s State of the County Address eventually went on without disruption.
This latest political drama reflects the growing tension within Wiper’s Kitui ranks and signals a deepening power struggle that could shape the Assembly’s direction ahead of the 2027 elections.
