Musila assures Malombe of unbiased battle for Wiper ticket

Wiper Party chairman David Musila (left), Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka (centre) and Kitui Governor Julius Malombe at a past event. Musila has assured Malombe of free and fair party nominations for Kitui gubernatorial candidates ahead of 2017 general polls. PHOTO | THOMAS WAITA | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Speaking Saturday during a funds drive at Kamandio Secondary School in Kitui Central, the Kitui senator dismissed speculations that the party would give him a direct nomination to face Dr Malombe in next year’s elections.
  • Dr Malombe, who has declared bid for re-election next year to fulfill his pledges to the residents, demanded that Mr Musila relinquishes his post as the party chairman so that the two could “compete for the party ticket on a level ground.”

The Wiper Party has allayed fears among aspirants about nomination of candidates in next year’s elections insisting there will be no bias.

Recently, senior party politicians including Kitui Governor Julius Malombe expressed fears of the party issuing direct tickets to some members.

However, party Chairman David Musila, who is also eying the governor’s seat, said on Saturday that the party will hold a free and fair exercise to pick its candidates.

Speaking Saturday during a funds drive at Kamandio Secondary School in Kitui Central, the Kitui senator dismissed speculations that the party would give him a direct nomination to face Dr Malombe in next year’s elections.

Mr Musila, nonetheless, warned Dr Malombe to be ready for a fierce battle for the ticket.

Dr Malombe during a public rally at Kilonzo trading centre in Kitui East about one month ago, expressed fears that there were plans to giver direct nomination to his rival so as to lock him out of the 2017 polls.

Dr Malombe, who has declared bid for re-election next year to fulfill his pledges to the residents, demanded that Mr Musila relinquishes his post as the party chairman so that the two could “compete for the party ticket on a level ground.”

He further demanded the nominations to be conducted by neutral institutions singling the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to ensure credible results.

However, Senator Musila maintained that the party polls would be conducted by Wiper’s elections board as opposed to the IEBC saying the party’s election officials have the capacity to conduct the exercise in a free and fair manner.

In response to some members of Kitui county assembly who last week said he was no match for the incumbent, Musila said the people of Kitui were better suited to make such a declaration.

“The electorate in Kitui will decide which one between us deserves to fly the party’s governorship flag,” he said, adding that he was in a better position to solve the problems facing the residents due to his vast experience in public service.

The MCAs also bashed the senator for traversing the county with deputy governor Penina Malonza inciting the residents against the current leadership by insinuating that it fell short of their expectations.

Dr Malombe and Mr Musila are expected to lock horns with former cabinet secretary Charity Ngilu who has also declared interest in the seat.