Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has termed the upcoming Magarini parliamentary by-election an important test run for his 2027 political battle.
Speaking when he opened the Wiper office in the constituency on Sunday, the former Vice President announced that his party has settled on Samuel Nzai as its flag bearer for the race expected to be staged once the IEBC is constituted.
Nzai contested for the seat in the 2022 elections on a Narc Kenya ticket and lost to ODM’s Harrison Kombe.
The Supreme Court last year upheld the High Court decision nullifying the August 9, 2022, election of Kombe.
Kalonzo said the by-election will provide a platform to flex his political muscles and gauge his support in the region in readiness for the 2027 polls.
“Wiper will have a candidate here. This will be like a gauge.”
Both President William Ruto’s UDA and Raila Odinga’s ODM are expected to sponsor candidates for the vacant seat.
The Wiper boss called on the area residents to register as members of the party as part of the strategy to strengthen the outfit’s presence in the area.
He said the party will be resorting to manual membership registration following technical hitches associated with digital recruitment.
“I am appealing to all of you to register as members of this great party. I will also appeal to the Registrar of Political Parties to let parties have manual registration,” Kalonzo stated.
His move is seen as a strategy to boost Wiper’s presence in the area and gives his 2027 bid necessary momentum.
He also announced he will soon start countrywide tours that will see him traverse all the 47 counties.
“Some people have been saying that I am not visiting every corner of the country. We have started and our next stop will be Western Kenya.”
Accompanying the Wiper boss were party secretary general and nominated Senator Shakilah Abdalla, Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua, MP Julius Mawathe (Embakasi South) and former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu.