Irungu Kang’ata Speaks on DCP Claims After Leaving UDA Ticket

Fresh political debate has emerged after Irungu Kang’ata announced that he will not seek re-election for the Murang’a gubernatorial seat using President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party ticket.

The Murang’a governor explained that his decision was influenced by several political concerns and not because of personal interests, as some of his critics have claimed.

His announcement immediately sparked reactions from leaders allied to the government, with some accusing him of planning to join former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua’s newly formed Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP).

Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV on Sunday night, Kang’ata did not directly confirm whether he intends to join DCP.

However, he argued that the current government has been making political mistakes that are indirectly strengthening the opposition and making DCP more attractive to many people, especially in the Mount Kenya region.

According to Kang’ata, the government’s handling of opposition politics has contributed to the rising popularity of Gachagua’s camp.

He pointed to incidents where opposition leaders and supporters have allegedly faced violence from groups believed to be aligned with the government. In his view, such actions are pushing more citizens towards the opposition instead of weakening it.

“DCP is a competitor of UDA, but some of the actions being taken by the government are only helping the opposition become stronger,” Kang’ata stated during the interview.

He added that he is more concerned about the government’s political direction and decisions than the activities of opposition leaders themselves.

The governor further explained that when leaders use intimidation, violence, or political hostility against opponents, the public tends to sympathize with those being targeted.

He warned that this trend could continue hurting UDA politically if the ruling party fails to reconnect with ordinary citizens.

At the same time, Kang’ata found himself responding to accusations from National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, who alleged that the Murang’a governor abandoned UDA after he failed to secure the deputy president position following Gachagua’s impeachment in 2024.

Ichung’wah, while responding through his social media platforms shortly after Kang’ata’s announcement, accused the governor of political hypocrisy.

The Kikuyu MP claimed that Kang’ata had previously pressured him to help influence President Ruto into appointing him as deputy president after Gachagua left office.

According to Ichung’wah, he openly disagreed with Kang’ata’s ambitions and informed him that he did not support his alleged candidature for the second-highest office in the country. The Majority Leader maintained that his opinion on the matter has not changed.

“The kind of pressure you were exerting to be named Deputy President, I gave you my honest opinion about your candidature and the politics surrounding it, and I still hold the same position today,” Ichung’wah stated.

In response, Kang’ata chose to avoid direct confrontation with the Kikuyu MP. He insisted that the matter should not be turned into a personal fight between leaders. The governor described Ichung’wah as a friend and said he would rather discuss the issue privately instead of exchanging political attacks publicly.

Kang’ata also declined to reveal the full details surrounding the claims that he was interested in becoming deputy president after Gachagua’s impeachment. He said there are many details he is not ready to disclose at the moment, adding that politics should not always be personalized.

“This issue is not personal, and I do not want politics to become about attacking each other personally. Kimani remains my friend, and if he wants, we can discuss the full story privately,” Kang’ata explained.

The Murang’a governor went on to reveal what he described as the main reason behind his decision to distance himself from UDA ahead of the 2027 General Election.

According to him, he believes the ruling party has gradually lost support and connection with many people in the Mount Kenya region.

Kang’ata said he has been carefully observing the political mood on the ground and has realized that many residents from his region no longer feel strongly connected to UDA as they did during the 2022 elections.

Because of this, he believes remaining politically tied to the party could become difficult moving forward.

“I have observed the political direction things are taking, and I am now convinced that things may not end well for UDA, especially in my region,” he said.

He further explained that political leaders sometimes reach a point where they are forced to openly declare their political stand because of pressure from supporters and the public.

According to Kang’ata, remaining silent for too long can make people question a leader’s position and intentions.

Despite distancing himself from the ruling party’s political future, Kang’ata clarified that he has not officially resigned from UDA.

He maintained that he still remains a member of the party and will continue working closely with the national government on development projects in Murang’a County.

The governor emphasized that politics should not interfere with development programs, noting that his administration still enjoys cooperation with President Ruto’s government on several projects aimed at improving the lives of Murang’a residents.

Looking ahead to the 2027 elections, Kang’ata said any political alliance or party he joins must prioritize issues that directly affect ordinary Kenyans. He outlined three key areas that he believes should be given special attention in any future political manifesto.

According to the governor, manufacturing should be expanded to create more jobs for young people, while education—especially affordable day school education—must be strengthened to help struggling families. He also stressed the need for better healthcare and insurance support for poor Kenyans who cannot afford medical expenses.

“Whichever political camp I eventually join must commit itself to three important priorities: manufacturing, education, especially day school education, and healthcare together with insurance support for poor families,” Kang’ata stated.

His remarks are expected to continue fueling political debate within the Mount Kenya region, where leaders are increasingly positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 General Election.

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