Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka (left) and National
Liberal Party (NLP) leader Dr. Augustus Kyalo Muli (right
By Maximilla Wafula, Sub Editor, The County Diary News
For nearly two decades,
Ukambani’s political playbook has remained unchanged: maintain loyalty to a
single leader, remain in opposition, and hope development follows. Yet a drive
from Athi River to Mutomo reveals the heavy cost of this approach. Water
insecurity persists, infrastructure lags, and young people continue leaving
Kitui, Machakos, and Makueni for Nairobi, Mombasa, and abroad in search of scarce
opportunities. Political loyalty alone has failed to deliver the dams,
industries, and jobs the region needs.
The problem is not the
Akamba people, but an outdated strategy.
Historically, Kalonzo
Musyoka’s approach has relied on pursuing national power through opposition
alliances while hoping rivals are sidelined. The 2013 election proved the risk
of this calculation when Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto won despite facing
International Criminal Court cases. Today, assuming that legal hurdles surrounding
figures like Rigathi Gachagua will clear a path for Kalonzo risks repeating the
same mistake. Ukambani cannot gamble its future on political uncertainty or a
competitor's misfortune.
Remaining in perpetual
opposition isolates a region. To secure major investments, political leadership
must negotiate directly with whoever holds power.
The National Liberal
Party (NLP), under Dr. Augustus Kyalo Muli, offers a pragmatic shift:
transition from emotional loyalty to strategic bargaining. Born in Ngiini
Village, Kitui Central, and educated at Starehe Boys’ Centre, Kenyatta
University, and Dubai (MBA), Muli brings a business mindset to leadership.
Through the Kyalo Kya Maendeleo Foundation, he has driven local initiatives in
education, water, and youth empowerment.
The NLP strategy rests
on two pillars: a costed development agenda that turns campaign promises into
concrete budget demands, and active representation to ensure Ukambani has a
seat at the decision-making table.
Kalonzo Musyoka’s long
service deserves recognition, but acknowledging his legacy does not require
permanent adherence to a stagnant model. By asking "what are we getting
for our support?" rather than "who are we supporting?", Augustus
Muli and the NLP offer the Akamba a clear path forward: negotiate for tangible
results rather than wait for political fortune.
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