Kitui Assembly Speaker Kevin Kinengo Katisya. Photo Courtesy. 
By Andrew Mbuva
A fierce political showdown is brewing in the Kitui County Assembly, with Speaker Kelvin Katisya at the centre of a storm that could redefine the County's legislative leadership.
All eyes are now on Katisya, who is expected to deliver two crucial communications from the Wiper Party: the expulsion of two nominated MCAs and a major shake-up in the Assembly's Majority leadership. However, Katisya’s open declaration of allegiance to the Kenya Kwanza Government and his recent estrangement from Wiper has cast doubt on his impartiality, setting the stage for a tense political moment.
On July 1, 2025, Wiper Party expelled two of its nominated MCAs—Jacqueline Kalenga and Mwende Solomon Salu—on grounds of disloyalty and advancing the interests of rival parties. The expulsion effectively strips them of their nomination slots in the County Assembly, pending formal communication from the Speaker.
Subsequently, on July 4, 2025, a faction of Wiper MCAs convened and elected new Majority leaders in the Assembly. The elections—officiated by the party’s Dispute Resolution Tribunal and National Organizing Secretary, Kathiani MP Robert Mbui—saw Munywoki Mwinzi (Kyuso MCA) replace Harrison Maluki (Mwigwani) as Majority Leader. Daniel Ngoima Kimanzi (Kitui Town) and Cyrus Kisavi (Ikanga) were elected Majority Whip and Deputy Whip, replacing Boniface Mukwate and Muthengi Ndangara respectively.
But the legitimacy of the elections has been questioned by the ousted leadership. Embattled Majority Leader Harrison Maluki claimed the process violated a standing court order that barred the party from conducting internal elections pending a ruling.
“Sometime back they tried to remove us, and we went to court and obtained an order clearly stating that no election should be conducted until a decision is made. We are now wondering why the Party is flouting court directives,” said Maluki.
He revealed that 13 of the 25 Wiper MCAs boycotted the elections, leaving only 12 to elect the new leadership. Maluki insists that he remains the legitimate Majority Leader, alleging that the expulsion of Kalenga and Salu was a strategic move by the party to create a power vacuum favorable to their faction.
Moreover, he claimed that Kalenga and Salu had already obtained court orders blocking their removal and had not yet been de-gazetted as MCAs. “We will not recognize the so-called election until the Speaker formally announces the changes on the Assembly floor,” Maluki stated.
Wiper’s National Organizing Secretary Robert Mbui has since urged Speaker Katisya to act within the law. “Once communication is done to the Speaker, it is mandatory that he conveys the same on the floor of the house—failure to which would amount to abuse of office,” said Mbui, warning that the party would seek legal redress if the Speaker fails to act.
Mbui also challenged the ousted leaders to accept the will of the majority. “Leadership positions are not reserved for specific individuals. Members elect and remove leaders as they wish. These infightings only harm service delivery,” he added, confirming that 22 Wiper MCAs were present during the elections, with 12 casting their votes for the new leadership.
The Speaker’s reluctance to communicate the changes has raised speculation, with insiders suggesting that the now-ousted leaders had previously protected him from a looming impeachment—making his next move not only political but personal.
As the tension escalates, Kitui County awaits Speaker Katisya’s verdict—will he honor his constitutional duty or buckle under political pressure?
