Former Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi has announced retirement from active politics after three decades.
Speaking on Tuesday, January 27, at Laikipia University, Kiraitu said he will now focus on promoting happiness in workplaces and coaching fellow politicians on life beyond public office.
Kiraitu said his decision to retire comes after many years in elective politics, a journey he described as both demanding and transformative.
“I have retired from electoral politics, and this has broadened my mind,” said Kiraitu.
He recounted that losing the Meru gubernatorial seat in the 2022 general election nearly pushed him into depression, having known nothing else for over thirty years.
“Initially, after losing the elections, I was in shock, disbelief, and I actually got very sad. I also got depressed after some time, and because people were around me crying, they had also lost, so I decided to take a break from all that,” he said.
The former governor disclosed that the period led him to seek professional counselling and enroll in classes focused on personal growth, a process that lasted nine months.
“This experience gave me a new perspective on life. Now, I want to share that perspective with others and help people find joy in their professional and personal lives,” Kiraitu stated.
Kiraitu joined politics in 1992 when he was first elected to Parliament as the lawmaker for South Imenti. He also served as a cabinet minister during President Mwai Kibaki’s administration.
In 2013, he was elected as a senator for Meru County and served until 2017, when he was elected as the governor before losing the seat to Kawira Mwangaza in the 2022 election.
Following the loss, President William Ruto appointed Kiraitu as the Chairman of the National Oil Corporation of Kenya.
