In a political landscape reeling from a string of defeats, former Mukurwe-ini MP Kabando wa Kabando has praised Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka for his steadfastness following a punishing series of by-elections on Thursday.

The commendation arrives just as the Gachagua-Kalonzo led United Opposition coalition grapples with a sobering reality: a clean sweep by President William Ruto’s broad-based government in all seven parliamentary contests. This outcome serves as a stark barometer of the political terrain, forcing opposition strategists back to the drawing board ahead of the 2027 General Election.

A Reality Check at the Ballot

The United Opposition faced a political drubbing, losing crucial parliamentary seats in Mbeere North, Magarini, Malava, Kasipul, Ugunja, and Banisa, alongside the Baringo Senate seat. The results were described by insiders as a “rude awakening” for the coalition, which had positioned the mini-polls as an early test of its strength against the incumbent administration.

Despite high-profile joint rallies and confident predictions of an upset by figures like Kabando himself, the opposition’s grassroots machinery failed to deliver against the government's momentum. Prior to the vote, Musyoka and his allies had raised alarms over alleged rigging plots, citing irregularities in ballot paper printing and accusing state officers of unconstitutional campaigning.

A Silver Lining in Machakos

Yet, amid the widespread losses, a strategic victory in Musyoka's own backyard has provided a crucial morale boost. The Wiper Democratic Front party clinched the Mumbuni North Ward seat in Machakos County, a win that analysts see as cementing Musyoka's authority in the Ukambani region.

• Candidate: Antony Kisoi (Wiper)
• Votes: 3,849
• Runner-up: Harrison Wambua (Maendeleo Chap Chap) with 2,766 votes
• Significance: The contest was widely framed as a direct measure of Musyoka's political clout, with the Wiper leader personally investing significant political capital in the race to avoid what he termed the "embarrassment" of a loss.

In a statement following the result, Musyoka congratulated the winner, framing the victory as a reaffirmation of Wiper's values and a step in the “journey to renew and heal our nation.”

The Narrative of Resilience

It is this specific victory that appears to have prompted Kabando wa Kabando's praise. His lauding of Musyoka's "firmness" is being interpreted as a strategic effort to pivot the narrative away from the parliamentary rout and towards the leader's resilience in defending his home turf. By holding the line in Machakos, Musyoka demonstrated his continued command of a critical voting bloc.

While the broader by-election results delivered a stinging reality check to the opposition, the calculated focus on the Mumbuni North win signals a clear strategy. For Musyoka and his allies, the fight for 2027 will be built not just on national campaigns, but on the fierce defence of regional strongholds.