This archive report was first published on 25 October 2019.
The Wiper party's internal divisions and lack of planning have been blamed for the party's loss in the recent Mutonguni ward by-election in Kitui.
On October 25, 2019, Maendeleo Chap Chap's Musee Mati won the election with 2,883 votes, while Wiper's Stephen Kithuka garnered 2,156 votes.
Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka had campaigned for two days in support of Kithuka, but it was not enough to secure a win.
During the campaign, Kalonzo was accompanied by party chairman Chirau Mwakwere, Senator Enoch Wambua, and several MPs, but notable absentees included Johnson Muthama and Wavinya Ndeti.
It is alleged that Governor Alfred Mutua, who has declared his bid for presidency in 2022, kept a low profile during the campaign but allowed his chief-of-staff, Mwengi Mutuse, to network for Mati.
Now, Mutua is planning to invite Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana and Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu to a homecoming party for Mati's win, as the three governors have been championing for Kamba unity.
