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Irungu Kang’ata has declared that he will not defend his Murang’a gubernatorial seat on a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket in the 2027 General Election.
The governor made the announcement on Sunday after a meeting with party leader William Ruto in Kandara, Murang’a County.
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Despite acknowledging his long-standing political relationship with the President, Kang’ata said his decision is driven by growing disagreements and tensions that he feels conflict with his core values and principles.
He pointed to recent political trends that, in his view, suggest a shift toward intolerance, warning that such developments risk undermining democratic progress. He emphasized that his differences are not personal but are based on issues of political strategy, public engagement, and policy direction.
Kang’ata stated that leadership should be guided by dialogue and persuasion rather than force, adding that politics ought to focus on respect, humility, and service to the people—even when there is disagreement. He also stressed the need for civility toward political opponents.
The governor further criticized the current administration for not doing enough in key sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare, and education. He argued that more investment is needed in teacher quality, technical training, school infrastructure, local production, and primary healthcare to drive meaningful development.
While acknowledging efforts made so far, he maintained that they are insufficient to deliver the level of transformation the country needs.
Kang’ata reaffirmed that his primary duty is to the people who elected him, noting that this responsibility requires independent thinking and honest decision-making to protect both their immediate and future interests.
He revealed that he has already engaged party leadership on these concerns but no agreement was reached, prompting his decision to distance himself from the ruling party’s future ticket.
However, he clarified that he will remain loyal to UDA and continue working with the national government until the end of his current term in 2027. He added that he will announce his next political platform at the appropriate time.
Kang’ata also expressed gratitude to President Ruto for their political journey since 2013, when he was first elected as Kiharu MP under TNA, which later merged into Jubilee. He went on to serve as Murang’a Senator in 2017 and was elected governor in 2022.
He concluded by reaffirming his commitment to serving the people and promoting respectful, issue-based politics.
