Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka has backed out of a coalition agreement that he had earlier made with Muungano Party leader Kivutha Kibwana.
Musyoka had agreed that Kibwana, who is also the Makueni governor, would get a direct nomination ticket on the condition once he merged his party with Wiper.
However, the Wiper Party leader was faced with internal rebellion as senior party officials objected to Musyoka’s agreement with Kibwana.
After hours of negotiations in a tense meeting held at the party’s headquarters in Lavington, Musyoka announced that the nominations clause would not be applied.
He added that the Makueni governor would face-off with other aspirants who would be eyeing the seat on a Wiper ticket.
“I have agreed with party members that those who wish to contest for the Makueni seat will be given a chance to compete in fair nominations. I will talk to Kibwana and am sure he has no problem taking on his opponents,” Musyoka stated.
The development may complicate Musyoka's dominance in Ukambani politics given that Kibwana had last week threatened to withdraw his party from the coalition with Wiper over what he termed as failure to respect their deal.
Musyoka is also facing another headache in Kitui where local leaders, have publicly criticised him for supporting incumbent Governor Julius Malombe.
Most of the local MPs have rallied behind Malombe's challenger, who is the current area Senator David Musila.
