By Martin Masai
Wiper Issues Show Cause Letters to Kitui and Machakos Speakers Over State House Meetings
The Wiper Democratic Movement has issued disciplinary notices to Kitui County Assembly Speaker Kevin Kinengo Katisya and his Machakos counterpart Ann Kiusya, accusing them of political disloyalty and fraternising with the rival United Democratic Alliance (UDA) following a series of meetings with President William Ruto at State House.
In separate letters dated June 13, 2025, Wiper’s Disciplinary Committee cited three instances in which the Speakers allegedly undermined the party: two State House meetings chaired by the UDA party leader, and a political rally in Kitui where Speaker Kinengo reportedly pledged to work under a UDA-elected leader.
The party considers these actions a breach of multiple articles of its constitution, including those addressing loyalty, party promotion, and ideological alignment.
“You are hereby accorded an opportunity to show cause in writing why disciplinary action should not be taken against you,” read the notice signed by Mr. Mutinda Mutuku, Deputy Chairperson of the Wiper Disciplinary Committee.
The Speakers have been given until June 27 to respond or risk disciplinary action being taken in absentia.
The move signals Wiper’s growing unease with increasing overtures by leaders from its traditional Ukambani strongholds to President Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza alliance. While the two Speakers have yet to issue public responses, observers note that both are seasoned lawyers unlikely to cede constitutional ground easily.
Under Kenyan law, expulsion from a political party does not automatically disqualify a Speaker from office, nor is it listed among the legal grounds for impeachment.
Observers see the bid as mere flexing of muscles for nothing because the real power in respect to the speakers lies in numbers that the party does not have.
Their removal requires a motion supported by at least two-thirds of the assembly—a super threshold that remains far from guaranteed in either county. Both Wiper and its party leader Kalonzo Musyoka know it too well.
The disciplinary move by Wiper is being seen as a prelude to a broader struggle over loyalty and control as national politics shift ahead of the 2027 General Election.
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