By Francis Kioko.
Kitui County Assembly Speaker, Kinengo Katisya, has been accused of orchestrating a leadership shake-up within the Wiper Party’s ranks in the county assembly, leading to the removal of key loyalists and replacing them with his close allies. The move is seen as part of a broader strategy to weaken the influence of Wiper Party leader, Kalonzo Musyoka, within the assembly.
In a controversial decision, Speaker Katisya announced ouster of the Majority Leader, Hon. Munyoki Mwinzi of Kyuso Ward, replacing him with Migwani MCA Harrison Maluki. Maluki, known for his public criticism and insults directed at Kalonzo Musyoka, has been viewed as a divisive figure, and his appointment is being interpreted as a deliberate act to undermine Musyoka’s authority and destabilize Wiper’s dominance in the assembly.
Similarly, Hon. Daniel Kimanzi Ngoima, the MCA for Township and Majority Party Whip, was also removed from his position. He has been replaced by Boniface Mukwate Katula, an MCA from Kanyangi Ward and a known confidant of Speaker Katisya.
The rationale behind Speaker Katisya’s actions remains unclear, especially given that the Wiper Party’s National Executive Council (NEC) had recently reaffirmed the positions of Mwinzi and Ngoima as the legally recognized Majority Leader and Majority Whip, respectively. The Speaker’s move to disregard this decision has raised concerns about internal party conflict and disrespect towards Musyoka.
Sources suggest that Katisya may be acting under the influence of former Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu of the Narc Party. Speculation is rife that Katisya could be positioning himself for a future political alliance with Ngilu, possibly as her running mate in the 2027 Kitui gubernatorial race. If true, this would signal a significant betrayal of the Wiper Party, the political platform that elevated Katisya to his current position.
As the Wiper Party awaits further direction from its leader, Kalonzo Musyoka, regarding the legality of the leadership changes, there is growing tension within the party ranks. The removal of Mwinzi and Ngoima, seen as an “open coup” against Musyoka’s leadership, could have far-reaching implications for Wiper’s influence in Kitui County. Party members are calling for swift action against the Speaker to prevent further erosion of Wiper’s strength in the region.
About The Author
