Kenya’s National Liberal Party (NLP) will hold a delegates’ conference on Aug. 13 in Kitui County to determine its political alliances and election strategy ahead of the 2027 general election, party officials said.
The meeting, to be held at Kitui Stadium, follows earlier efforts by the party to engage the Wiper Democratic Movement after publicly expressing support for its leader, Kalonzo Musyoka. NLP officials said those discussions had not progressed, prompting the party to consider alternative political arrangements.
According to party officials, delegates will deliberate on three options: continue pursuing cooperation with Wiper, seek an alliance with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s Linda Mwananchi movement, or open negotiations with President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza coalition.
“We have reached a point where the party needs to make a decision on its political direction,” a senior NLP official said, adding that the final position would be determined by delegates at the conference.
The deliberations come as political parties begin positioning themselves for the 2027 election, with coalition negotiations expected to intensify over the coming months.
The choice could have implications for politics in the Ukambani region, where Wiper has traditionally enjoyed broad electoral support. Political analysts say any decision by NLP to align with Kenya Kwanza could present political challenges in a region that has largely backed the opposition in recent elections.
An alliance with the Linda Mwananchi movement would offer the party an alternative opposition platform outside Wiper, analysts said.
In addition to coalition discussions, delegates are expected to consider the party’s strategy for key elective positions in Kitui County, including the governorship and the Kitui Central parliamentary seat.
NLP leader Dr. Augustus Kyalo Muli is expected to address the conference, although party officials said delegates will make the final decisions on alliances and the party’s electoral strategy.
Political analyst Peter Mwanzia, based in Kitui, said the conference would be closely watched as an indication of how smaller parties intend to position themselves ahead of the next election.
“The decision could indicate whether smaller parties prefer to remain aligned with established political blocs or pursue independent political arrangements,” he said.
The conference is scheduled for Aug. 13 at Kitui Stadium, with party officials expected to announce the delegates’ resolutions after the meeting.
