The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
Murang’a Woman Representative Betty Maina has announced that she will not seek re-election in the 2027 General Election, leaving questions about her future political ambitions.
Maina, who is considered a close political ally of President William Ruto in the Mt Kenya region, made the announcement on Monday, describing it as a farewell to the residents who entrusted her with the parliamentary seat in 2022.
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She attributed her decision to changing political dynamics in the region, particularly the growing popularity of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP).
According to the legislator, the July 16 Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election significantly changed her perception of the political mood in Mt Kenya, where opposition candidates have increasingly challenged President Ruto’s influence.
During the by-election, DCP candidate Sammy Kamau Ngotho secured a decisive victory over UDA’s Samuel Muchina Nyaga, polling 35,440 votes against his rival’s 5,450.
Maina said the experience exposed the unpredictable nature of voters, despite the extensive mobilisation and resources invested by the ruling party during the campaigns.
Speaking at a meeting on Monday, she recalled how campaign teams distributed food and other items in an attempt to win support, but ultimately failed to secure victory.
She listed mattresses, blankets, cooking gas cylinders, transport money and even boats among the items distributed to voters during the campaigns.
Maina expressed surprise that voters who had benefited from the campaign giveaways still voted against the ruling party’s candidate.
In an emotional moment, the legislator sang Ndi Mwihitukiri (I Was Just a Passer-by), a popular song by veteran Gikuyu musician Wahome wa Maingi, seemingly signalling her decision to leave the political race.
She later thanked Murang’a residents for giving her the opportunity to serve as their Woman Representative for five years.
Maina also apologised to anyone she may have offended during her tenure and expressed gratitude to those who had supported and appreciated her work.
She urged residents to carefully consider the candidates seeking to replace her, emphasising the need for continuity in programmes supporting vulnerable members of society.
Among the initiatives she highlighted were financial support for women’s groups, assistance to orphans and programmes benefiting children living with disabilities.
She called on voters to elect a successor who would maintain and expand these initiatives rather than abandon the projects already underway.
Maina’s announcement marks a shift in her political plans, especially after she had previously expressed interest in challenging Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata for the gubernatorial seat in 2027.
Kang’ata has already indicated that he intends to defend his position and is expected to pursue re-election under the DCP ticket. Meanwhile, Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome has also declared interest in the governorship on a UDA ticket.
Maina won the Murang’a Woman Representative seat in 2022 on a UDA ticket, making the 2027 polls her first opportunity to seek a second term.
Her decision not to defend the seat comes at a time when Murang’a politics is becoming increasingly competitive, reflecting the wider realignment of political loyalties and alliances across the Mt Kenya region.
