Murang'a Governor Irungu Kang'ata. The governor has been awarded a total of Sh12.5 million by Royal Media Services (RMS) and Mediamax Ltd over stories published last year by outlets of the two media houses, which he complained as defamatory.
Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata’s appearance in the ODM-linked Linda Mwananchi movement rally in Thika on Sunday has put his 2027 General Election strategy under fresh scrutiny, as political realignments intensify in the increasingly restless Mt Kenya voting bloc.
Over the past 20 months, the region has shown growing signs of drifting from government support toward opposition politics, with Dr Kang’ata now emerging as a key example of how regional leaders are repositioning themselves.
On Monday, Dr Kang’ata addressed the Mt Kenya voting bloc in an interview on Inooro TV, where he clarified that his attendance at the Linda Mwananchi public rally in Kiambu County on Sunday was tactical.
“I have joined that pressure group, which is not a political party. Technically, I am serving under the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), but I am fully aware that the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) is the most popular in Murang’a County and that Mr Rigathi Gachagua is currently in charge of the voting bloc,” Dr Kang’ata said.
He dismissed claims that he is positioning himself to inherit the Mt Kenya kingpin role, seek a presidential or deputy presidential ticket or form a new political party ahead of the 2027 coalition arrangements.
Political analyst Stanley Wang’ombe, however, accused Dr Kang’ata of attempting to act independently in shaping Mt Kenya’s 2027 political direction.
“We would love to partner with as many as possible, but Dr Kang’ata must know we will do that in a structured manner and from one command centre. He should not overrun himself,” Mr Wang’ombe said.
Murang'a Governor Irungu Kang'ata.
Dr Kang’ata responded by defending his presence in Linda Mwananchi, saying it was meant to represent Mt Kenya interests, arguing that the movement brings together diverse national voices and that the region should not be left out.
He further insisted that his participation should not be interpreted as aligning with the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), adding that “technically, ODM has been weakened and is fading,” and predicting that leaders such as Edwin Sifuna and Babu Owino may soon shift into a new political formation.
His remarks increase pressure on Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, who, despite speaking in a tone resembling that of an opposition figure, has not publicly declared his political alignment ahead of 2027.
The governor has in recent months faced growing criticism from UDA loyalistswho have also begun laying the ground for his possible political isolation in 2027.
Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome has been touring Murang’a County, criticising Dr Kang’ata and warning that any perceived defection from UDA would weaken President William Ruto’s support base in a county where he secured over 80 percent of the vote in 2022.
“It is good riddance that Dr Kang’ata has left us to join those other anti-development formations. Time is running out for him and soon he will realise he is not the alpha and omega of this county,” Ms Wahome said.
Dr Kang’ata fired back, saying he would not engage in “a war of words with a woman the age of my mother,” accusing her of prioritising party loyalty over public service.
“I carry the responsibilities of a father and a leader who cannot afford to present myself to my five young children and the people of Murang’a as a source of uncouth utterances,” he said.
He added that he expects continued political attacks but insisted he remains committed to unity and service delivery over confrontational politics.
Maragua MP Mary Wamaua. She has dumped former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for President William Ruto.
Maragua MP Mary Wamaua has meanwhile proposed a mobilisation strategy along Murang’a North and South divisions, a move that could reshape the county’s political dynamics ahead of 2027.
For political expediency, Maragua, Kigumo, Kandara and Gatanga constituencies fall under the South bloc, while Kiharu, Kangema and Mathioya form the North bloc.
The South has 391,436 voters, while the North has 229,493, according to the 2022 Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission register, out of a total of 620,929 registered voters. Despite the South’s numerical strength, the North has historically dominated gubernatorial politics since 2013.
Ms Wamaua noted that in both 2013 and 2017, the North produced the governor, senator and woman representative positions.
In the 2022 General Election, Dr Kang’ata, from the North, garnered 256,561 votes, while his closest challenger, Jamleck Kamau from the South received 91,164 votes, highlighting deeper political dynamics beyond regional divisions.
Analysts say Dr Kang’ata’s political trajectory could lead to either greater prominence or decline, depending on how he navigates emerging realignments.
“While he has tried to manage perceptions about his leadership, ultimately party kingpin politics and shifting alliances will determine his fate. He has so far shown instinctive political skills and an ability to read the direction of political winds,” said Rwathia Distributors Company director Kanene Kabiru.
Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata.
However, Mr Kabiru urged the governor to focus on development priorities such as job creation through large-scale irrigation agriculture, exploitation of kaolin deposits in Kiharu for ceramics and tile manufacturing, revival of Murang’a County Creameries and establishment of value-addition plants for bananas, mangoes and vegetables—projects he said could grow Murang’a’s economy by over Sh10 billion annually.
He added that Murang’a residents have historically set a low political bar, making it easy for leaders to rise without strong accountability expectations.
“Murang’a had attained near-Singapore status in the 1980s, but today it is just another ordinary county government. Dr Kang’ata has shown signs of performance brilliance but operates within a national economy whose weaknesses often limit local ambition,” he said.
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