By Mwinzi wa-Kyulungwa (ka Mwingi
On 10th of August, 2027, the contract between Governor Julius Malombe and the people of Kitui will come to its natural conclusion.
Whether one supports him politically or not, one fact is difficult to dispute: the current governor has set a high benchmark for leadership, service delivery and development across the county.
As Kitui begins to think about the future, the conversation should not merely be about who succeeds him, but about the kind of leadership the county deserves.
2027 general election will be one of the most consequential in Kitui’s history. The county has made significant strides in infrastructure, water development, healthcare, agriculture and public service under Malombe’s tenures.
Majority of the County residents say Dr. Malombe’s established and strengthened many of the county’s development foundations and I want to associate with their views.
The challenge facing voters therefore is not simply to elect a new governor, but to safeguard and advance the gains already established.
Kitui cannot afford to become a training ground for political experimentation. The stakes are too high.
The county faces immense development needs, ranging from water security and road connectivity to youth empowerment and economic growth. These challenges require a leader who can hit the ground running from day one. The people deserve someone with a demonstrated ability to deliver results, manage public resources prudently and unite diverse interests behind a common development agenda.
This is why the 2027 contest should not be reduced to merely party slogans or political excitement. Leadership is ultimately about performance. It is about vision, about competence, about integrity and the ability to transform plans into tangible benefits for ordinary citizens.
The next Kitui governor must possess a proven track record of service and a genuine commitment to the welfare of the people.
Such a governor may emerge from the Wiper Patriotic Front Party, which has long enjoyed significant support in Kitui. Equally, that governor could as well come from outside Wiper.
What should matter most is not the party symbol on the ballot paper, but the quality of leadership behind it. Kitui’s future cannot be mortgaged to political convenience or empty promises.
As voters evaluate potential candidates, they must ask difficult but cardinal questions. What has this person achieved before?
What evidence exists that they can manage a county government? What is their record in serving communities? Do they understand development, or are they merely seeking office for its prestige and power?
Governor Malombe of 2013 – 2017 and 2022 – 2027 has already set the standard. Whoever seeks to occupy the office after Dr. Malombe must be prepared to walk into his big shoes – either to match him or surpass him.
The people of Kitui must therefore demand more than ambition; they must demand competence. Instead of promises, they must demand proof.
When August 2027 comes, voters must remember that elections have consequences.
Progress of Kitui County can be accelerated, preserved or even reversed depending on the choices made at the ballot.
The County’s future is too important to gamble with. Indeed choices have consequences.
The writer is a n Economist, Commentator & Analyst*
