Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata has dismissed claims that he has defected to a new political outfit, even as he openly criticised the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA), saying it is steadily losing influence in the Mt Kenya region.
Speaking a day after announcing he would not seek re-election on a UDA ticket, Kang’ata pushed back against accusations from government leaders that he was aligning himself with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and his Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP).
Instead, the governor argued that recent actions by the government have unintentionally boosted the opposition’s popularity, particularly in central Kenya.
“DCP is a competitor of UDA, but the government has been taking actions whose net effect is to make the opposition more popular,” he said during an interview on Citizen TV, pointing to incidents of violence targeting opposition supporters.
Kang’ata maintained that his decision was driven by political considerations rather than personal interests, even as fresh allegations emerged linking his move to earlier succession politics.
National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah claimed the governor had previously lobbied to be considered for the deputy president position following the impeachment of Gachagua, and suggested his fallout with UDA stemmed from that episode.
But Kang’ata declined to delve into the claims, describing the matter as sensitive and best handled privately. “This thing is not personal. I will not be drawn into personalising politics,” he said, adding that he still considers Ichung’wah a friend.
At the heart of his decision, the governor said, is what he views as a growing disconnect between UDA and voters in Mt Kenya—a region that played a key role in the party’s rise to power.
“I know what is going on in politics, and I believe it is not going to end up well for UDA, especially in our area,” he noted.
In spite of the negative remarks thrown his way, Governor Kang’ata reiterated that, for the moment, he is still a member of the ruling party and will continue collaborating with the administration of President William Ruto on developmental projects in Murang’a County.
When it comes to the next general elections slated for 2027, the governor has set out his criteria for an ideal political alliance.
“Whichever camp I join must prioritise manufacturing, education, and healthcare for the poor,” he said.
His remarks come at a time of shifting political alliances in Mt Kenya, a region seen as critical to the country’s electoral landscape, raising fresh questions about UDA’s grip ahead of the next general election.