Accusations and counter-accusations have reportedly started to plague Wiper Party after its choice candidate for the Mutonguni Ward by-election was trounced by a candidate fronted by the Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua.
The search for a ward representative for Mutonguni Ward favored Musee Mati (MCC) who garnered 2,892 votes to beat Stephen Kithuka of Wiper (2,147).
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, who is widely considered the kingpin of Ukambani politics, was expected to carry the day, but a number of issues pointed out by the Daily Nation on Saturday, October 19, lay bare what had been plaguing the party before the hotly contested by-elections.
Mwingi West MP Charles Nguna, reported that the members of Wiper had raised the concern that Stephen Kithuka was a weak candidate against MCC's Musee Mati.
Knowing that the candidate did not stand a clear chance, Nguna requested Kalonzo to steer clear of the campaign trail to avoid backlash, but the advice was ignored.
He pointed fingers at Kitui West MP Edith Nyenze and Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua, whom he accused of misleading Kalonzo that his involvement in the campaign would lure more voters.
"We must admit that we failed to grasp the reality on the ground. After the election petition that dragged on for two years in court, people felt that we imposed a weak candidate on them. They had rejected him in the 2017 elections," he was quoted.
Mwingi Central legislator Gideon Mulyungi agreed with Nguna, admitting that the party had made a few miscalculations that led to the humiliating defeat.
"It is a big shame and a slap in the face. We must get back to the drawing board and correct our mistakes," he stated.
Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua did not hesitate to rub the defeat in Kalonzo's face on Thursday, after the official results had been announced.
He emphatically stated that the victory was emblematic of the changing tides in Ukambani's political forays, and the country's in general.
"I congratulate Maendeleo Chap Chap Party’s Hon Mati for his victory. This was not a contest between candidates but the beginning of a new revolution to usher in development based leadership not only in the Ukambani region but Kenya as a whole," he wrote.
