"I Call the Shots in Wiper!” – Mutula Fires Back at Prof. Kaloki

By Andrew Mbuva

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr has issued a blistering response to Prof. Philip Kaloki, making it clear that he remains firmly in charge of Wiper Patriotic Front affairs in Makueni—and beyond.

Speaking in Emali during the burial of Garshon Mutisya, a 33-year-old man killed by police during the Gen Z protests, Governor Mutula broke his silence following recent remarks by Prof. Kaloki calling for party nominations ahead of the 2027 gubernatorial race.

Without mincing words, Mutula told off the former Kibwezi MP, asserting that internal Wiper decisions are not made at political rallies but at the party’s leadership table—where he sits as the National Vice Chair.

“Don’t just say you want to remove Mutula without an agenda. After you remove him, what happens?” he posed, in what was a direct jab at Kaloki’s campaign maneuvers.

“Don’t go to public rallies and start declaring that Wiper Party will do this and that. I’m the Vice Chair of Wiper. I sit at the decision-making table. I’m the one who says what is to be done,” Mutula stated emphatically.

The Governor further accused Kaloki of trying to destabilize the party at a time when all efforts should be focused on building national support for Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka’s 2027 presidential bid.

“Don’t spoil the party for Kalonzo by dragging me into unnecessary fights,” Mutula said. “I should be in Homabay and Mandera campaigning for him to be President—not handling distractions.”

He reminded Kaloki of his failed bid in Nairobi where he was picked by Wiper to deputize ODM’s Polycarp Igathe in 2022—a ticket that lost to UDA’s Johnson Sakaja.

“Come slow. We didn’t tell you to go run as Deputy Governor in Nairobi. Wherever you were planning those politics, we weren’t there. Go settle your debts there without bothering us,” he said.

Mutula didn’t stop there. He questioned Kaloki’s capacity to campaign for Kalonzo outside Ukambani, urging him to build a profile that resonates nationally.

“Kaloki, who knows you outside Ukambani? Can you go to Homabay and campaign for Kalonzo? First build your profile like Kibwana and myself. When we go to Kisumu, we don’t need to introduce ourselves—people already know us.”

The strong-worded remarks were triggered by comments Kaloki made at Kiongwani on July 17 during the commissioning of the Maria Salus Infirmorum Health Facility, where he insisted that all Wiper gubernatorial aspirants in Makueni must go through party nominations.

“It’s through nominations that we’ll get the right person for Makueni County. This will also help us rally behind Kalonzo Musyoka,” Kaloki said.