NLP confident of snatching Ukambani from Kalonzo

The National Liberal Party (NLP) leader Dr Augustus Muli (centre) at a past event/HANDOUT

The National Liberal Party (NLP) has expressed confidence that it can deliver up to two million votes in the 2027 General Election.

Speaking on the party’s growing influence, Secretary General Omondi K’oyoo said NLP leader Augustus Muli has the capacity to significantly shift the political dynamics in the Ukambani region, long considered a stronghold of Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka.

“The only thing that makes Kalonzo Musyoka interesting to the United Opposition is the two million Kamba vote. Strip that away, and suddenly Kalonzo’s political mystique looks far less formidable,” K’oyoo said.

He argued that Kenya’s political environment remains fluid and unpredictable, noting that alliances and influence can shift rapidly ahead of an election.

“Former British Prime Minister Harold Wilson once quipped that a week in politics is a long time. Kenya has many weeks before the next general election, and in that time, anything can happen,” K’oyoo explained.

K’oyoo pointed to recent political developments as evidence of how quickly fortunes can change, citing the example of Edwin Sifuna, whose name has recently been floated in political circles as a possible presidential contender.

“Just a few weeks ago, few would have imagined Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna being floated as a possible presidential candidate. Yet here we are,” he said.

According to the NLP official, Muli’s political profile has risen significantly in recent months, placing him in direct competition with established leaders in the Ukambani region.

“This is why Muli deserves more attention. His name is increasingly mentioned in the same breath as Kalonzo Musyoka in Ukambani,” K’oyoo noted.

He explained that until recently, Muli was relatively unknown outside his local area, but his nomination to represent the Azimio la Umoja coalition in the panel tasked with selecting commissioners for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) thrust him into the national spotlight.

“Though his nomination was never gazetted, the controversy surrounding it catapulted him into national political conversations. Ironically, the battle over the IEBC panel did more to elevate his profile than the appointment itself ever could,” K’oyoo said.

He added that the NLP is steadily building its grassroots presence across the country, positioning itself as a viable alternative political force ahead of 2027.

“The National Liberal Party, a locally rooted outfit, is quietly building grassroots structures across the country,” he stated.

K’oyoo further highlighted Muli’s influence at the community level, noting that he serves as Patron of the Anzauni clan, one of the largest in Ukambani, with an estimated 400,000 members spread across Kitui, Machakos, and Makueni counties.

Supporters of the party claim that NLP has already surpassed one million registered members nationwide, a figure that, if translated into votes, could significantly impact the outcome of the next election.

“If those numbers translate into votes, the implications are enormous. Remember, the 2022 presidential contest was decided by a margin of just about 200,000 votes,” K’oyoo said.

“That razor-thin difference shows how even a relatively small but organised bloc can tilt the scales of national politics,” he added.