Talk of tyranny of numbers, and you will understand why National Liberal Party’s (NLP) leader, Dr. Augustus Kyalo Muli will give Wiper Party, the custodian of Kamba votes, a run for its money.
Reports from the lower eastern part of the country, indicate that NLP has registered more than 200,000 members in Ukambani, including 130,000 in Kitui alone, with some estimates suggesting the figure could be closer to 400,000.
Further, it’s understood that Dr. Muli is already taking advantage of the numerical strength of the Anzauni clan factor, which he is a patron of one of the largest in Ukambani, with an estimated 400,000 members.
“It’s true that NLP is rapidly expanding in Ukambani,” a grassroots political analyst associated with the Party, sensationally claimed. He sought anonymity since he is not an official of the party.
He said the party has strong grassroots mobilization and clan backing that could challenge Kalonzo Musyoka’s long-standing dominance in the region. “The party’s growth positions Dr. Muli as a serious player in Lower Eastern politics ahead of the 2027 elections,” he added.
The Party, has recently gained momentum in Ukambani. In Kitui, Machakos, and Makueni counties, the analyst noted that the NLP is increasingly mentioned alongside Wiper Democratic Movement, “signaling a shift in the political vocabulary of the region.”
“The party’s youthful branding and grassroots networks are credited with driving this growth,” Sospeter Nzau, a youth grassroots mobiliser in Kitui said.
He explained that beyond party politics, Muli’s influence is reinforced by his role as patron of the Anzauni clan. He was formally installed as clan leader in February 2024 by the Akamba Clan Governing Council of Elders.
“This dual base—party membership and clan loyalty—gives him a potential vote bloc of 500,000 to 800,000, a figure that could significantly alter coalition negotiations at the national level,” Nzau added.
The NLP is positioning itself as an alternative voice to mainstream factions in Lower Eastern Kenya, focusing on breaking the dominance of established political, particularly challenging the influence of Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka.
Dr. Muli is campaigning on a platform of economic transformation, focusing on agricultural empowerment, climate-resilient farming, and accountable leadership.
The party is not operating in isolation but is building national alliances, including seeking to work with other regions, such as the GEMA community, to gain a stronger foothold in national politics.
