Opposition Party Suffers Early Setback As Top Politician Quits & Joins Rivals, Details

Wiper Patriotic Front has suffered a political setback in Migwani Ward after several former aspirants defected to the National Liberal Party (NLP) and pledged to support its candidate, Andrew Kaleli, ahead of the November 17 by-election.

The defectors were received by NLP party leader Augustus Kyalo Muli during a meeting in Migwani, where they announced their decision to rally their supporters behind Kaleli in the race for the ward seat.

The former aspirants blamed their departure on alleged irregularities in Wiper’s nomination process, accusing individuals they described as party brokers of demanding money and interfering with the selection of candidates.

One of the defectors claimed they had lost money during the process and accused the party of attempting to impose a candidate who was not from Migwani Ward.

“We were conned out of our money by WPF brokers, and to make matters worse, they brought in someone who is not even from Migwani Ward and tried to impose him on us,” the aspirant said.

Their departure could affect Wiper’s grassroots support in Kitui County as political parties intensify preparations for the upcoming by-election and position themselves ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The contest is also expected to attract competition from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), which has assembled a campaign team led locally by Mwingi West MP Charles Nguna.

Nguna was elected on a Wiper ticket but has recently shifted his political support to President William Ruto’s UDA, creating the possibility of a closely fought contest involving the three political camps.

Speaking after receiving the defectors, Muli urged leaders to focus on development and the interests of Migwani residents, warning against political intimidation and violence.

He maintained that the by-election should give residents an opportunity to choose their preferred leader without financial inducements or imposed candidates.

Kaleli also brings political experience to the contest, having previously served as a personal assistant to former Mwingi West Senator David Musila, an influential figure in the region.

Musila’s political standing could become an advantage for Kaleli as he seeks to consolidate support across the ward. However, the extent of the former senator’s influence on voter decisions remains uncertain.

With the November 17 vote approaching, Kaleli is expected to step up his campaign following the endorsement, while Wiper faces the challenge of containing the political fallout from the defections.

Wiper suffers early setback in Migwani as aspirants defect to NLP

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