Kalonzo campaigns in Kitui rural ahead of Monday polls

Wiper party leader, Kalonzo Musyoka, on Friday mobilized his Ukambani party machinery in a campaign blitz for the party's candidate, David Mboni Mwalika, in the Monday Kitui Rural parliamentary polls.

Friday being the deadline for the campaigns, the Wiper brigade that was led by Kalonzo staged a four prong assault for its candidate with rallies across the expansive constituency.

Earlier in the day, Kalonzo chaired a strategic campaign meeting with his team that included Wiper elected leaders as well as die-hard Wiper supporters.

The meeting agreed to a one day marathon campaign. 

The group was split into four and combed the entire constituency  the whole day, holding rallies  and road side meeting to to woo votes.

Kalonzo took the lead by addressing a number of rallies accompanied by among others Kitui governor Julius Malombe.

The last ditch arrangement was a clear sign that the Wiper party was determined to pull all stops to ensure Mwalika who is the area MP  retains his seat

He is being challenged by former area MP. Charles Nyamai, of UDA party.

Elections for MP for Kitui Rural were postponed on August 9 by IEBC after a mix-up in election materials.

The electoral area received ballot papers for Pokot South while the latter got the ones for Kitui Rural.

IEBC chairman Wafula Chepkati later scheduled the polls for Monday, August 29.

One of the teams in Friday campaigns was led by Kitui Senator, Enoch Wambua, and Mwingi North MP, Paul Nzengu, while another is led by the county woman member of the National Assembly Irene Kasalu.

There is also another team that was led by outgoing Kitui county assembly speaker George Ndotto and another under the leadership of the Kitui Central MP, Makali Mulu.

Addressing rallies at Kivuunga, Iiani, Katothya, Nzeveni  and Kiimani in Kwa Vonza ward, Wambua and Nzengu called on voters to re-elect Mwalika to give Kalonzo the bargaining power at the national level.

"Kalonzo needs enough bargaining power by ensuring that his party has a substantial number of elected MPs. That is why you should vote for his party's candidate in the Monday election," said Wambua.

He said it was time to consolidate Kalonzo's popularity in his home county and also boost his influence as he eyes  presidency in 2027.

"You should vote back David Mboni Mwalika because his win as a Wiper candidate will give our party leader the political push and influence he deserves to comfortably seek the presidency in 2027," said the senator.

Nzengu said since Kalonzo is poised to be a chief minister in the government to be formed by Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Alliance's Raila Odinga once the presidential election petition at the Supreme Court is concluded.

He said not only that DP William Ruto’s presidential election win will be annulled but all those involved in the electoral malpractice that saw the DP declared winner be thrown in jail.

"You have to save Kalonzo's face at the national level by affirming that he is popular in his home areas. Thus, you should re-electing his party's candidate, Mwalika, in the Monday election," said Nzengu.

He said he had worked with Mwalika in the last parliament and realized that he was a performer per excellence and astute leader who fought for welfare and interests of his people in the August house.