Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana has announced that he is ditching Kalonzo Musyoka's Wiper Party to return to his Muungano Party as he eyes the presidency in the 2022 General Election.

Speaking at the party offices in Wote, Kibwana said Muungano Party was his preferred ticket to seek the country’s topmost political seat, saying the country needed leaders who will transform it by fightig corruption, reviving the economy and creating jobs.

The governor defected from Muungano Party and joined Wiper in 2017 ahead of the presidential election and backed Kalonzo, who was then the running mate to ODM Party Leader Raila Odinga under the National Super Alliance (NASA). 

During his time in Wiper, Kibwana served as the party chairman even as he endured a strained relationship with Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka that played out in public on several occasions.


Kalonzo Musyoka. PHOTO/COURTESY

According to the Makueni County Boss, his ideological differences with Kalonzo were irrepairable and that he had sought the permission of Makueni County residents to quit the former Vice President's party and they reportedly gave him the nod. 

Wiper Party had previous threatened to expel Kibwana on allegations of undermining the party leader and the governor dared the party to go ahead and eject him but they did not.

However, it remains clear if Kibwana, who is serving his second and final term as governor, will resign from his position and seek a fresh mandate as required by law once a politician defects from a party that sponsored him to his elective position.