MUSILA: Why I might jet out of Wiper yet again

 Former Kitui Senator David Musila has come out to hint that he might walk out of Wiper Democratic Movement party yet again months after he rejoined the political outfit. 

Speaking while he launched his bid for a second trial on the Kitui Gubernatorial seat at Mwingi town on Saturday, Musila indicated he was going to contest as an independent candidate for a second time if he failed to get a direct endorsement by the Wiper party.  

The former Wiper party Chairman had first left the party in a huff in 2017 to contest for the same seat as an independent candidate after he lost the primaries to then governor Dr. Julius Malombe. He however, came second after incumbent Charity Ngilu was declared the winner of the governor seat.

Musila revealed that he was unwilling to contest on the Kalonzo Musyoka-led party because he felt there were some party honchos who were against his push for a direct nomination.

“I respect the party leader but there are frustrations,” he told the supporters who thronged the historical Musila Grounds. According to him, a handshake he had done with the Wiper party boss was meant to secure a direct ticket. 

Last year there were reports that the former Mwingi South MP had been promised a direct ticket. This is reportedly the reason he opted to rejoin the party even after the bitter fall out with his former boss Mr. Musyoka in 2017.

But even after he rejoined the party, Musila has somehow maintained a low profile in the activities of the party. He has conspicuously missed some of the key party rallies and events in Kitui county.

Other candidates for the governor position in the party are Dr. Malombe and former Kitui East MP Amb. Kiema Kilonzo. Both have been visible in the rallies which have been presided over by the party boss.  Could his discomfort in the party that he helped establish began as soon as he rejoined?  

Wiper party nod

If Musila makes his threats to exit Wiper right, the contest for the party’s nod will remain a two-horse race between Dr. Malombe and Amb. Kilonzo. It will however be a tough contest at the ballot as Musila will have to square it out with whoever wins the Wiper ticket as well as Mrs. Ngilu who will be seeking a reelection on her Narc party. Former Nairobi City County Deputy Governor Jonathan Mueke will also be in the race on a UDA ticket.

Musila is seeking to galvanize the larger Mwingi voting bloc and this could be seen to inform why he chose to hold his manifesto launch at Mwingi town. The former fiery Provincial Administrator in the Kenyatta and Moi regimes comes from Migwani in Mwingi West constituency. He commands a huge following in the area and pundits say he is seeking to woo the voters to solidly back his bid.

“As a region we feel marginalized and Musila must have the three constituencies from the larger Mwingi vote for him in 2022. This will give him an advantage over other candidates since they all come from Kitui region,” a former MCA from Mwingi West told MWINGI TIMES. The region from which Musila will pick his running mate will also influence his vote basket.

Dr. Malombe who is seen as a major competitor to the former Defence Assistant Minister is said to be considering picking his running mate from Mwingi North, Wiper leader Kalonzo’s home area. Either Kyuso MCA Stephen Musili alias Kivunzi or his Tseikuru counterpart Boniface Kilaa are touted as the possible picks. This might jeopardize Musila’s bid especially if Dr. Malombe’s choice for his deputy from the region will have the blessing of Mr. Musyoka.

Musila, a stickler of punctuality vowed to prioritize fighting against corruption which he said has bedevilled the current regime of governor Ngilu. He also pledged to give focus on the Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) by employing permanently the sector’s tutors.

STORY By MWINGI TIMES CORRESPONDENT