KANG'ATA TURNS GUNS ON RUTO AT LINDA MWANANCHI RALLY

Murang'a Governor Irungu Kang'ata launched a scathing attack on President William Ruto's administration on Sunday, accusing the government of neglecting the Mt Kenya region and crippling its industries as he joined opposition leaders during a Linda Mwananchi rally in Thika, Kiambu County.

In what is likely to fuel speculation over shifting political loyalties ahead of the 2027 General Election, Kang'ata stood alongside leading opposition figures and openly criticized key government policies, arguing that residents of Mt Kenya had been abandoned despite their support for Kenya Kwanza in the 2022 elections.

Addressing thousands of supporters at Kivulini Grounds, Kang'ata accused the government of failing to support manufacturing and economic growth in the region.
"Mimi nimeangalia sera za kupeleka Kenya mbele kupitia kwa factories. Hii serikali imemaliza factories Mlima Kenya," Kang'ata said.

The Murang'a governor also questioned the government's housing agenda, arguing that funds collected through the housing levy would be better spent on education.
"Katika hii serikali, ile kazi kubwa wamefanya ni kujenga nyumba. Nani ako na nyumba hapa? Hiyo pesa ya housing levy ipelekwe kwa shule, masomo iwe free."

Kang'ata further demanded that healthcare resources be returned to county governments.
"Tunataka serikali irudishe pesa ya healthcare kwa County," he said.

His appearance at the opposition rally marked one of his strongest public criticisms yet of President Ruto's administration and comes barely a month after he announced that he would not seek re-election on a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket, citing differences in political strategy, citizen engagement and policy priorities.

The governor also praised the Linda Mwananchi movement for what he described as its commitment to national unity and inclusivity.
"Mimi naamini Kenya ni kitu moja. Uwe Mkisii, uwe Mjaluo, sisi ni kitu moja. Linda Mwananchi iko na kila mtu."
"Linda Mwananchi ndio vuguvugu ambayo imeleta Wakenya wote pamoja, ikiongozwa na Sifuna. Ukweli ama uongo?"

His remarks were welcomed by opposition leaders, who portrayed his attendance as evidence of growing dissatisfaction with President Ruto within the Mt Kenya region.
Siaya Governor James Orengo described Kang'ata's presence at the rally as a sign that the President's political support was weakening.
"Ruto is the problem. Huyu Kang'ata nimepigana na yeye vita. When I saw Kang'ata today, I said Kasongo is done. Kasongo is going home," Orengo declared.

The rally, which brought together Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, Faith Odhiambo and other opposition leaders, was briefly disrupted by a group of rowdy youths before calm was restored.

Kang'ata later hinted at broader opposition unity efforts, revealing that he had encouraged opposition leaders to engage DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua.

"Nimeambia Sifuna, Babu na Orengo watafute Wamunyoro," he said.

The Murang'a governor's participation in the Thika rally is expected to deepen political debate in Mt Kenya, where his criticism of government policies and his public embrace of the Linda Mwananchi movement have been interpreted as a fresh challenge to President Ruto's influence in the region.