Wiper party leader Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka’s presidential ambitions received a fresh wave of endorsement on Thursday after he joined top Makueni leaders at the unveiling of the Maria Salus Infirmorum Health Facility in Kilome Sub-county.
The state-of-the-art facility, funded by donors from Spain, was officially commissioned in Kiongwani in a colourful ceremony attended by Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, County Assembly Speaker Douglas Mbilu, and senior county executives.
While the event primarily marked a major milestone in Makueni’s push for universal healthcare, it quickly evolved into a political show of strength for Kalonzo, with Wiper leaders openly rooting for his 2027 presidential bid.
Deputy Governor Mulili used the occasion to heap praise on Kalonzo’s leadership, describing him as a development-conscious statesman whose elevation to the presidency would steer Kenya toward dignity-driven governance.
“Today’s event is not just about a health facility; it is about a vision—one that aligns with what Kalonzo Musyoka stands for: dignified access to basic services, peace, and progress,” said Mulili. “As a county, and as Wiper leaders, we stand behind his bid for the presidency.”
The newly opened Maria Salus Infirmorum Health Facility becomes part of Makueni’s growing network of health centres aimed at delivering affordable and accessible medical services to all residents. The initiative complements Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr’s agenda of promoting medical tourism and reinforcing the county’s public-private partnerships under the World Health Organization’s care network model.
CECM for Devolution Nicholas Nzioka, Chief Officers for Health Services Harvey Mulei and Felistus Mutune (Office of the Governor), were also in attendance. They echoed the county’s commitment to health-focused development and praised the donor collaboration that brought the project to fruition.
Speaker Douglas Mbilu described the facility as a “lifesaving asset” and thanked the international donors for their investment in the health and wellbeing of the Kilome people.
As the 2027 political temperature begins to rise, the health facility launch offered a rare blend of service delivery and campaign undertones, setting the stage for Kalonzo’s broader engagements across the counties in the months ahead.
