Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata has declared that he will seek re-election in the 2027 General Election, signalling his readiness to defend his seat amid growing competition from Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome and Murang’a Woman Representative Betty Maina.
Kang’ata, who was elected governor in 2022, said his priority was to fight poverty and improve the lives of residents rather than engage in political confrontations with his competitors.
Speaking on Wednesday, November 4, the governor maintained that he was not intimidated by the prospect of facing the two politicians, insisting that his re-election campaign would be guided by development issues and his record in office.
“I am running for re-election. I am not ready to take them (Alice Wahome and Betty Maina) on. It’s about issues, I am ready to fight poverty. I never go to any political contest to fight with anyone,” he said.
Kang’ata described his political ambitions as a mission rather than a competition, adding that he respected other leaders seeking elective positions.
“Mine is not a competition; it is a mission. Whoever comes, I treat that person with a lot of respect. If they have a better manifesto, why not? We are not 100%; we have our own weaknesses. We hope whatever little we have done can move Murang’a miles ahead,” he added.
His remarks come after Betty Maina declared her intention to contest the Murang’a governorship on a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket.
Maina made the announcement on Tuesday, November 3, while addressing supporters at Mbogoini Primary School Grounds in Kahumbu Ward, Kigumo Constituency.
“If you meet with people, and they ask you which position Betty is vying for, tell them I am vying for the governor’s seat,” Maina said.
Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome has also expressed interest in the seat, setting the stage for a potentially competitive contest in the county.
Wahome previously served as Kandara MP before joining President William Ruto’s Cabinet.
The Murang’a governor also weighed in on the emerging opposition alliance involving former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.
Kang’ata disclosed that he did not attend the Linda Mwananchi Movement headquarters launch in Nairobi because he had not received an invitation.
“I was not at the Linda Mwananchi launch; I was not invited. The person who was invited was Gachagua, and he came with his lieutenants,” he stated.
He nevertheless expressed confidence in the political strength of the leaders who attended the event, arguing that their cooperation could significantly influence the outcome of the 2027 General Election.
“When you have Kalonzo, Gachagua, and Sifuna, that’s all. The three of them, once they come together, it’s a done deal,” Kang’ata said.
He argued that an alliance bringing together the Mt Kenya region, Lower Eastern, Western Kenya and areas previously associated with former ODM leader Raila Odinga could form a formidable political force.
“If you have the mountain, the lower eastern, the western, and potentially what I would call Raila’s former strongholds, coalescing together in one political bloc, it’s more than enough,” he added.
Based on his assessment of the political situation across the country, Kang’ata said the opposition appeared to be gaining considerable support in different regions.
“Based on my intuition, the opposition seems to have, at least in every region, a substantial crowd,” he observed.
Kang’ata also defended Gachagua against accusations that he was a bully, dismissing criticism directed at the former Deputy President by former National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi.
He maintained that Gachagua was speaking openly about political issues and argued that opposition politicians should appreciate leaders who openly challenge them.
“I don’t see any division from where I sit. I know my boss (Gachagua) talks the hard truth. If I were an opposition politician, I would appreciate,” Kang’ata stated.
He further argued that politicians should recognise that their political positions depend on the support of ordinary citizens. “It is the politician who needs the people, not the people needing the politician,” he said.
Responding to Muturi’s description of Gachagua as a bully, Kang’ata argued that the former Speaker should instead appreciate Gachagua’s political involvement in the Mbeere North by-election.
“When Muturi calls my boss a bully, he is wrong; he should be thanking Gachagua for sacrificing to bring a candidate in Mbeere North,” he said.
Kang’ata also questioned Muturi’s political judgement following what he described as three consecutive electoral losses. “If I were Muturi, the three losses in quick succession would have led me to introspection,” he added.
Kang’ata’s remarks follow the October 30 launch of the Linda Mwananchi Movement headquarters in Lavington, Nairobi, an event that brought together several prominent opposition figures.
The ceremony was attended by Gachagua, Kalonzo, Sifuna and Democratic Action Party-Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa, among other politicians.
The launch marked a new phase in Sifuna’s efforts to position himself as a potential joint opposition presidential candidate in the 2027 General Election.
Kalonzo also indicated that opposition leaders were still negotiating and would unveil their preferred joint presidential candidate on November 13, 2026.
However, the gathering was not without disagreements, with Kalonzo facing heckling after suggesting that Sifuna had to wait for the party’s formal nomination process before being declared its presidential candidate.
During the event, Kalonzo told the gathering: “In fact, my brother Eugene has jumped the gun. He has declared you a presidential candidate. Let me tell you, legally, because you’re a lawyer, you have to wait for the 13th of November.”
The remarks prompted chants of support for Sifuna, forcing the Nairobi senator to intervene and allow Kalonzo to continue speaking.
The launch brought together leaders from different political formations, highlighting ongoing efforts to consolidate opposition support ahead of the next General Election.
