Kalonzo cracks the whip on Kitui, Machakos Speakers over ties with Ruto
Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka.
What you need to know:
- The two Speakers are accused of undermining the Wiper Party by associating with President Ruto’s allies.
- Mr Kinengo and Ms Kiusya have until June 27 to explain why they should not face disciplinary action form the party.
Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has moved to discipline Kitui Speaker Kelvin Kinengo and his Machakos counterpart Anne Kiusya over their recent engagement with President William Ruto.
The two County Speakers have received separate show-cause letters from Wiper Party after they attended a consultative meeting with President Ruto at State House last month.
The letters cite three separate incidents in May and June in which the Speakers are accused of undermining the party by associating with Dr Ruto’s allies, including participating in political rallies organised by Kenya Kwanza leaders.
From left: Former Chief Justice David Maraga, Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa during an interdenominational prayer service at All Saints Cathedral in Nairobi on June 22, 2025.
“According to the complaint received, your statements, actions and attendance at the said meetings at State House not only undermine party unity and loyalty but are also construed as promoting the ideologies and interests of another political party, which contravenes the Wiper Party Constitution,” reads the letter dated June 13 signed by deputy chairman of the Wiper disciplinary committee Mutinda Mutuku.
Mr Kinengo and Ms Kiusya have until June 27 to explain why they should not face disciplinary action for associating with the President.
During a recent tour of Ukambani alongside former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Mr Musyoka vowed to deal firmly with allies he accuses of sabotaging his 2027 presidential ambitions by running errands for the ruling coalition.
He singled out Mr Kinengo and Ms Kiusya who is also facing an impeachment bid from a section of Machakos MCAs over alleged incompetence and corruption as key culprits.
Mr Kalonzo criticised Ukambani leaders who attended the May 21 meeting at State House, accusing them of going to “beg for roads.”
However, a defiant Mr Kinengo issued his response during the Madaraka Day celebrations at Nguutani Township in Kitui.
“We have many development concerns that require collaboration with the national government. The county government alone cannot address these needs. As Kitui leaders, we must politely ask the national government to support our region’s development,” he said.
The development comes amid growing dissent within Wiper, with some key allies of Mr Musyoka openly opposing his political alliances.
Shortly after Mr Musyoka and Mr Gachagua toured the region and reaffirmed their commitment to uniting against President Ruto in 2027, Mavoko MP Patrick Makau called on the Wiper boss to sever ties with Mr Gachagua, labeling the former Deputy President a political liability.
Mr Makau’s statement followed protests by his supporters in Athi River who accused Mr Gachagua of disrespecting their MP.
This came after the former DP, while addressing a rally in Athi River, launched a scathing attack on Mr Makau and asked Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti to "crush" him, accusing him of being loyal to President Ruto.
Political analysts have linked Mr Gachagua’s attack on Makau to lingering resentment from his impeachment in 2024.
Mr Makau, along with Mwingi West MP Charles Nguna, both Wiper members, voted in favour of the impeachment motion. Notably, Mr Nguna is the only Kalonzo ally who has recently hosted Kenya Kwanza figures during their women’s empowerment tours.
“Even if the chance to impeach Gachagua arose again, I would still vote against him. In 2023, he dismissed me when I sought help to stop demolitions in Mavoko,” Mr Makau said.