Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang'ata has clarified that he will not use the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) as his political vehicle in the 2027 General Election, following his decision to exit William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
Speaking after his announcement on Sunday, May 3, Kang’ata addressed speculation that he could be aligning himself with DCP, a party associated with former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua. The governor dismissed the claims and maintained that he has not settled on any political outfit for the upcoming election.
Kang’ata instead pointed to what he described as actions by the government that have contributed to the growing visibility and support of opposition parties, including DCP.
“DCP is a competitor of UDA. The government has been taking actions whose net effect is to make DCP more popular,” he said during an interview on Citizen TV.
He cited incidents involving confrontations targeting opposition supporters, noting that such developments have influenced political perceptions among the public. According to him, these factors have shaped the current political environment as leaders begin positioning themselves ahead of 2027.
His remarks come amid increased scrutiny from leaders within the ruling coalition. National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah linked Kang’ata’s exit from UDA to internal political disagreements, particularly surrounding the leadership changes that followed the 2024 shift in the deputy presidency.
Ichung’wah alleged that Kang’ata had previously expressed interest in the deputy president position and had sought backing for the role.
Despite the claims, Kang’ata has remained focused on his next political move, reiterating that he will defend his Murang’a gubernatorial seat in 2027 under a different platform, which he says will be unveiled at a later stage.
The clarification adds a new dimension to the evolving political landscape, as parties and leaders continue to realign ahead of the next General Election.
