Matungulu Member of Parliament (MP) Stephen Mule has foreseen shifting political dynamics after August this year.

While speaking during an interview with a local TV station, the fourth-term MP stated that real political alignments will become visible after August, a period when it will be one year to the next general election.

He said that after August this year, reality will hit Parliament at the centre. He noted that no Member of Parliament will be afraid of being recalled or facing a by-election, nor will they fear being disciplined by their party.

He added that they will become more independent and will eventually realise that they must secure their own political future.

Mule said, “After August this year, the reality will hit Parliament at the centre; after August, no Member of Parliament will be afraid of being recalled, and no Member of Parliament will be afraid of a by-election or of being disciplined by the party; they will become independent, and then they will realise that they have to secure their future.”

This has been evident in past election cycles; real political realignments, especially among MPs, usually begin after the last budget is read. Once constituency development funds have been secured, many legislators start switching camps and aligning with sides that best serve their interests and guarantee re-election.

According to the Matungulu MP, those aligned with the government do so because they want their interests catered for in the next budget and because they fear backlash if they shift to the opposition. He added that after August, MPs will have nothing to fear and will freely align with the political camps of their choice.

Orwoba’s warning

Former nominated senator Gloria Orwoba, while speaking in Kisii, urged Jubilee deputy party leader Fred Matiang’i that Kisii region leaders who are still supporting and benefiting from the current government should remain where they are and should not switch camps at the last minute.

She further stated that those who join late should not expect to receive the same treatment as those who have stood with the former interior cabinet secretary since his return from the United States.

Gachagua’s warning

In the Mount Kenya region, Democracy for Citizens Party leader Rigathi Gachagua also issued an ultimatum to politicians from his backyard who are still aligned to the government, stating that they should vacate their positions quickly and join his camp, warning that he would not allow last-minute political defections.