Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata has formally joined former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), ending months of speculation over his political future and handing the opposition outfit another significant win ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Gachagua announced Kang’ata’s entry into the party on Friday, July 24, following a meeting at his Wamunyoro residence in Nyeri County. Sharing photos of the encounter, the former Deputy President welcomed the governor warmly, describing DCP as “the party of the moment and the future.”
“Welcome home, Governor Irungu Kang’ata, where you belong. Today at Wamunyoro Residence, I was pleased to receive my younger brother, Governor Irungu Kang’ata, Governor of Murang’a County, as a member of our party,” Gachagua said.
Kang’ata confirmed he will defend his gubernatorial seat on the DCP ticket in 2027, while signalling he intends to maintain ties with President William Ruto’s development agenda. “In 2027 elections I will use DCP to defend my seat. But remain a link with Linda,” he posted on X.
The move comes nearly three months after Kang’ata announced in May that he would not seek re-election on President Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket, citing unresolved differences over priorities such as manufacturing, healthcare and education. At the time, he insisted he had not settled on a new political home, even dismissing reports that he had already joined DCP.
His defection follows a brief stint aligned with the Linda Mwananchi movement led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, during which he appeared alongside opposition leaders and argued that Kenyan politics should move beyond ethnic and regional lines.
Gachagua used the occasion to tout DCP’s growing muscle, coming off a decisive win in the recent Ol Kalou by-election. “We now have a Member of the National Assembly and three Members of County Assemblies from across the country… we are determined to be the majority party in both Houses,” he said.
Analysts see Kang’ata’s move as a major blow to Kenya Kwanza’s standing in Mt Kenya, a region Gachagua has aggressively courted since his fallout with President Ruto. The governor’s high approval ratings and political weight in Murang’a are expected to strengthen DCP’s grip on the vote-rich region heading into 2027.
Senators John Methu, Mithika Linturi, Joe Nyutu, Karungo wa Thang’wa, Kamau Murango and John Kinyua were present to receive him.
