Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata broke from the now-familiar political script during President William Ruto’s development tour of the county, avoiding any reference to the increasingly popular “Tutam” slogan that has dominated recent rallies.
Speaking in Kiharu on Friday, April 24, Kang’ata, who was handed the microphone by the President, kept his remarks firmly on development, steering clear of 2027 succession politics that have begun to split leaders in the Mt Kenya region.
Instead of leading the crowd in political chants, the governor introduced his own call-and-response format centred on county programmes.
“I want you to respond with ‘power’. MYS! Kang’ata Care! EG! ECD! Inua Masomo! Inua Mkulima!” he said, with residents responding in unison.
Kang’ata underscored that his presence at the rally was guided by respect for the presidency, even as he explained his limited participation in other stops during the tour, which also featured Deputy President Kithure Kindiki.
“As County Governor, I must give your position the respect it deserves. Even as you and your Deputy will be around today and tomorrow, I may be missing, but it is not out of contempt; I have a problem with my leg,” he told the gathering.
The governor used the platform to push for collaboration with the national government, particularly in industrialisation.
He noted that Murang’a needed support to establish an industrial park that could create jobs for young people completing school.
“It would be good if we could get industries which will create jobs for youths after they complete their education,” he said, adding that such projects require backing from the national government.
His remarks reinforced a careful balancing act at a time when regional leaders are increasingly being pushed to declare allegiance between rival political chants, “Wantam” and “Tutam”, seen as early signals of 2027 alignments.
Kang’ata has so far avoided taking sides, arguing that open alignment risks isolating Murang’a from national development opportunities and straining relations with other counties.
Notably absent from the tour was Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, who has in recent weeks criticised the government over the rising cost of fuel.
However, indications suggest Nyoro may be out of the country, with social media posts placing him at the Harvard Kennedy School in the United States.
Kang’ata’s approach, focused on projects over politics, stood out in a tour that has largely been defined by early campaign undertones, offering a glimpse of a leader intent on keeping Murang’a’s interests above the growing political noise.
