Governor Kang’ata – I will not seek re-election on a UDA ticket

Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata has announced that he will not seek a re-election for the county gubernatorial position on a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket in the 2027 General Election.

He made his unprecedented announcement on Sunday, after meeting with UDA party leader President William Ruto in Kandara constituency, Murang’a.

The governor intimated that despite sharing a long partnership with President Ruto, his move has been prompted by “instances of confrontation and tension” that have gone against his principles and political values.

He said that recent political developments have created a perception of politics shifting toward intolerance, a move he argues erodes the gains of upholding democracy.

“As is natural in public life, there are moments when honest differences emerge. My divergence is not personal; it is grounded in principle—specifically on matters of political strategy, engagement with citizens, and policy priorities,” he said in a statement.

“I hold the firm belief that leadership must be anchored in persuasion, not pressure; in dialogue, not coercion. Politics, in my view, is about winning hearts through ideas, humility, and service—speaking to citizens respectfully, even when they disagree with us. It also requires extending civility and restraint toward our political competitors, for they too represent Kenyans.”

Governor Kang’ata added that the current administration has failed to sufficiently address critical sectors to advance development, among them manufacturing, health and education.

He argued that education must be complemented by stronger investment in teacher quality, technical and vocational training, and school infrastructure, manufacturing should shift from consumption to production and the State should prioritise strengthening primary healthcare to improve outcomes.

“While there has been effort toward these sectors, the focus and scale are not yet sufficient to deliver the transformation Kenya requires.

He asserted that his foremost responsibility is to serve the people who elected him into leadership, and will honor that mandate with diligence and integrity.

“That mandate requires independent judgment, candour, and decisions that safeguard both their immediate interests and long-term prosperity,” he said.

With the aforementioned argument, Kang’ata said he will distance himself from the ruling party and has already had discussions with its leadership without reaching an amicable agreement.

Until “the appropriate time comes”, he said, he will remain a loyal member of the party to the remainder of his term until the 2027 polls.

“I wish to state that when the appropriate time comes, I will not seek to defend my seat on the party’s ticket. I will, at a later stage, communicate the platform through which I will present myself to the electorate,” he said.

“I will continue to serve diligently in my current capacity and to cooperate with the national government in delivering development to our people.”

 I will remain loyal to the party and to the President through the remainder of this term, up to the 2027 general election.

Governor Kang’ata also thanked President Ruto for their close partnership since he first joined the National Assembly in 2013 as Kiharu Member of Parliament under a TNA party ticket.

TNA party later merged with the United Republican Party (URP) to form the Jubilee Party of Kenya, which was then led by Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto.

In 2017, he was elected Murang’a Senator and later became Governor in 2022, all still under Ruto’s leadership in different capacities.

He now maintains that his focus to serve the people and uphold respectful politics remains unchanged while in office.