The race to succeed Kitui Governor Julius Malombe is taking shape, with the battle for the Wiper Party gubernatorial ticket emerging as one of the key political contests ahead of the 2027 General Election. The Star reported on September 15, 2026, that the Wiper contest includes Kitui Woman Representative Dr Irene Kasalu, Senator Enoch Kiio Wambua and Kitui Central MP Makali Mulu, with the three positioning themselves ahead of the party nomination battle. The newspaper noted that while Wambua has formally launched his campaign, Kasalu and Mulu have been active in grassroots engagements as they build their networks across the county.
According to polls reviewed by Hopkin Reporter, Kasalu has continued to feature prominently among respondents asked who should receive the Wiper Party ticket, with Senator Wambua and MP Mulu also featuring in the contest. Hopkin Reporter’s review of the emerging political landscape further indicates that Kasalu has been expanding her grassroots visibility through a series of meet-the-people engagements across different parts of Kitui. Independent reporting by The County Diary has also documented her grassroots activities, including engagements in Kitui East, where she interacted with residents and supported local community initiatives.
The growing visibility comes as the Wiper nomination contest enters a more active phase. Hopkin Reporter’s ongoing coverage has observed increased public turnout at Kasalu’s grassroots meetings, with hundreds of residents reported to have attended some of her engagements. However, crowd sizes and online polls provide indicators of political activity rather than definitive evidence of countywide voter support. Ultimately, the Wiper Party’s nomination process will determine who receives the party ticket, while the wider gubernatorial field also includes candidates outside Wiper.
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