The political fallout between Kiambu politicians allied to President William Ruto and Governor Kimani Wamatangi played out publicly on Monday during the burial of Isaac Ichung’wah Ngugi, father of National Assembly Leader of the Majority Kimani Ichung’wah.
The event, attended by President Ruto and his vocal supporters from the region, largely ignored Governor Wamatangi, who was neither given a platform to speak nor tasked with welcoming dignitaries in his own county.
The cold shoulder underscores the ongoing tension between Wamatangi and sections of the executive, whom he has previously accused of using Kiambu MPs to undermine his leadership.
Instead, Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire took the lead in welcoming fellow governors and dignitaries, mentioning Wamatangi only in passing.
The Kiambu governor waved briefly to the crowd before sitting down, effectively reduced to a bystander in his own home turf.
“Because we have some of the governors here who are your friends, allow me to recognise them. I will start with my sister, Governor Susan Kihika of Nakuru County, then Governor Johnson Sakaja of Nairobi and then the governor of the county we are in, Governor Kimani Wamatangi,” Ms Mbarire said.
The snub reflects a longstanding rift between Wamatangi and Ichung’wah and his allies, who have clashed over county governance and land issues.
Mr Wamatangi has resisted ceding county land for affordable housing projects, citing concerns over potential abuse and land grabbing.
“Del Monte had ceded 100-acre land whose title was not handed over to the county. When I became governor, the county was allocated 690 more acres. Cartels, including politicians, started crafting ways to grab the land, but I refused,” the governor told reporters last year in Thika, during discussions on his then planned impeachment.
The tension is not limited to the burial. Two weeks ago, President Ruto hosted Kiambu legislators and opinion leaders at State House, where the county boss was conspicuously absent.
Observers say this exclusion is part of a broader attempt to weaken Mt Kenya region politically ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The initiative, supported by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and spearheaded by MP Ichung’wah, Kiambu Woman Representative Ann Wamuratha, Thika MP Alice Ng’ang’a her Gatundu South counterpart GG Kagombe, and Njoroge Kururia of Gatundu North, aims to separate Kiambu from Mt Kenya region—a move critics say is a political manoeuvre to divide the community and erode Ruto’s regional influence.
Political analyst Prof Peter Kagwanja notes that the “divide-and-rule” strategy is a longstanding political tactic.
“Regarding the talk about Kiambu County exiting Mt Kenya, I wonder where it is going. Or is it some of its leaders who want to go? This is clearly a divide-and-conquer campaign ahead of 2027. Next, you’ll hear Murang’a wants its own president, and Meru and Embu have never been part of Mt Kenya anyway.”
Kiambu County Assembly Speaker Charles Thiongo criticised the discourse, saying that Kiambu is geographically, politically and culturally aligned with Mount Kenya.
He argued that the focus should instead be on enhancing resource allocation to the county, given its large population and proximity to Nairobi.
“The whole narrative is a selfish agenda with no basis. It should be rejected because it is politically motivated to divide the people of Mount Kenya ahead of the general elections,” Thiongo said.
At the funeral, Dr Ruto urged Kenyans to reject pessimism and believe in themselves and Kenya's transformation agenda.
The President said the country has made tremendous progress over the past three years, citing the stabilisation of the economy, increased agricultural productivity, implementation of the Affordable Housing Programme, and universal health coverage.
He dismissed claims that Kenya is a failed state, saying he is confident that the country can and will transform within our lifetime.
“We must believe in this country; we must believe in ourselves; we must stop the negativity, and stop the naysayers and those who speak negatively about our country,” he said.
The President mourned Mzee Ngugi as a true inspiration who demonstrated that, with self-belief, hard work and perseverance, anything is possible.
He described him as a caring and generous man who touched many lives, rising from humble beginnings to become a pillar of the community.
Prof Kindiki described him as a good parent, a good teacher and a man of God.
“We will follow in his footsteps and be good parents, teachers and children of God,” he said.
Mr Mudavadi reminded leaders to heed the wisdom of former US President Abraham Lincoln, who said it was better to keep quiet and let people think you are a fool than to speak and remove all doubt.
“We must be very careful of what we speak,” he said.
