By DENNIS OMWANGE
Several months ago, Makali Mulu looked like the man to beat for Wiper’s Kitui gubernatorial ticket. Today, multiple opinion polls show Woman Rep Irene Kasalu ahead of Makali by significant margins, and not just once, repeatedly. That’s a real, measurable slide, not spin.
Wiper’s own consideration to settle the ticket through an opinion poll rather than a floor primary tells its own story: the party isn’t confident a head-to-head contest will produce a non contestable outcome, and that uncertainty has opened room for Kasalu to consolidate ground while Makali’s campaign is struggling to gain momentum.
Timing looks like part of the problem. Kasalu has run a visible, sustained grassroots push — her #ZiaraMashinani engagement tour has kept her moving through the county consistently. It has been argued that Kasalu has the Wiper ticket firmly tucked away in her kibeti.
Makali’s public activity, by comparison, has leaned on set-piece events, ceremonial appearances and non impactful engagements which is a lukewarm strategy and the polling gap suggests it hasn’t closed the distance yet. Makali is trailing badly.
Makali’s pitch leans on continuity with Governor Malombe’s policies which presently are a hard sell as the Kitui economy has heavily declined under Malombe. Money circulation in Kitui has significantly reduced and the unemployment rate for youth is at all time high compared to Governor Ngilu’s time.
Malombe’s tenure has been hugely underwhelming and largely uninspiring. Businesses and the local economy continue to struggle a great deal.
Makali declaring that he wants to be exactly like Malombe poses many legitimate challenges and questions. Can Kitui afford another five years of Malombe policies through Makali?
Bottom line: The frontrunner tag for the Wiper ticket that Makali wore in early 2025 doesn’t match where the numbers sit today. The optics aren’t helping either.
Makali took too long to hit the ground and allowed Kasalu to leapfrog his front runner position for the Wiper ticket.
Makali’s campaign is also said to be a collection of elitist, highflying class of individuals who hold their meetings in high end beautiful hotels in Nairobi instead of engaging Kitui people in their villages.
