Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata has revealed that he will be exiting the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ahead of the next general election, citing differences in political strategy and growing concerns over the party’s prospects in his political stronghold.
Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV on Sunday night, Kang’ata said his decision followed prolonged internal disagreements within the ruling party, particularly on how to manage political messaging and strategy in the Mt Kenya region.
He, however, clarified that his departure is not immediate, stressing that he intends to remain in UDA until the end of the current electoral cycle.
“I’m not leaving UDA now, come next general election,” Kang’ata said, outlining two key reasons behind his decision to part ways with the party.
The governor explained that the first reason stemmed from a political disagreement with the party leadership, including President William Ruto, particularly after a development meeting held in Murang’a.
He said that following the investment conference in the county, he had concluded that it was important to engage directly with the Head of State on strategic issues affecting the region rather than express grievances publicly.
“I decided that he (President Ruto) is my friend, we have been together for a very long time since 2013. Fairness demands that if you have an issue with your friend, he should not hear it on the streets; look for him,” Kang’ata said.
According to him, he raised his concerns privately with the President on how political strategy in the Mt Kenya region should be managed, but they failed to reach a consensus.
He added that following the disagreement, he opted to remain silent from around July 2025.
Kang’ata further indicated that his observations of the current political climate have reinforced his belief that UDA may struggle in his region if no strategic adjustments are made.
“I have seen how the politics is going on, and I think I am now convinced it will not end well for the UDA party, at least in my region,” he said.
The governor also reflected on the pressures that come with holding office, noting that governors are often forced into political declarations even when their focus is on service delivery.
“When I became a governor, my political strategy was to be quiet, to concentrate on my mandate. It reaches a stage when the president is in Murang’a, you are put into a corner where you have to say something,” he said.
He added that public expectations and political pressure often push leaders into making statements they may not fully intend to make, especially during high-profile visits.