Former Kitui Senator David Musila has dropped his bid to contest the Kitui governor seat in the 2027 General Election. He has also announced his retirement from active elective politics after nearly three decades of public service.
Musila, popularly known as “Bwana Meko” across the Ukambani region, made the announcement on Saturday. He said the decision followed wide consultations with his family, who fully supported his choice to step aside.
The veteran politician said his exit marks the end of a long journey that began in the mid-1990s. He noted that leadership requires timely decisions and that it was time to allow a new generation to take up the mantle.
Despite retiring from elective politics, Musila said he is not withdrawing from public engagement. He stated that he will now focus on mobilising the Ukambani region to work closely with President William Ruto’s administration.
Musila openly dismissed the growing “one-term” political narrative targeting President Ruto. He argued that such politics would deny the region development opportunities tied to cooperation with the national government.
He said he will actively campaign for President Ruto to serve two terms. According to Musila, continuity in leadership is key to delivering major infrastructure and economic projects in Ukambani.
The former senator also revisited the history of the Kibwezi–Kitui road. He rejected claims by Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka that he initiated and launched the project.
Musila explained that he worked with several Kitui MPs to push for the road through sustained lobbying and protests. He recalled that police teargassed demonstrators before the government finally acted.
He said former President Uhuru Kenyatta later summoned him to State House. Following that meeting, the road project was approved and eventually launched in Kibwezi.
Musila revealed that he defied warnings to skip the launch ceremony. He expressed surprise that others later took credit for the project.
He has served in elective politics since 1996. His departure signals a major political shift in Kitui County ahead of the 2027 polls.
