Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi has ruled out seeking re-election on a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket, citing frustrations and political persecution by the state since he was elected governor in 2022.

The governor, who plans to announce his new political vehicle for the 2027 General Elections in December, hinted that the government's actions have only fueled public discontent, leaving the ruling party struggling with unpopularity as people eagerly seek change.

“I have decided not to engage in early campaigns to finish the pending development work we promised until around December. But, like everyone else, we are sure which political party we cannot use, " Wamatangi said over the weekend in Kiambu

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This will make Mr Wamatangi the third sitting governor in Mt Kenya region to ditch the ruling party ticket after Muran’ga’s Irungu Kan’gata and Kiarie Badilisha (Nyandarua) decamped to the Democratic Citizens Party (DCP).

Irungu Kang'ata and Rigathi Gachagua — Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua (left) welcomes Murang'a Governor Irungu Kang'ata to the DCP party at his Wamunyoro home in Nyeri County on July 24, 2026.

Photo credit: Courtesy

Wamatangi said he would first complete his development agenda before turning his attention to early campaigns, saying he will go to the people and ask for re-election based on the work he has done for Kiambu.

“We have delivered on 512 ECDEs, 32 new hospitals, installed 12, 000solar lights, provided water, supported agriculture and many other areas, but we are still working, particularly on roads before we go to politics,” he said while inspecting road works in Riabai Ward.

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This announcement signals a dramatic turn for Wamatangi who has been at logger heads with the national government that he supported to get into power in 2022.

Mr Wamatangi has always linked his persecution to his refusal to allow politicians allied to the government to grab 100 acres of public land in Gatuanyaga, Thika, which had been surrendered by fruit processor Delmote Kenya to the county during the defunct Thika Municipal Council.

Kiambu County Governor Kimani Wamatangi speaks to the Daily Nation at his office in Kiambu on November 6, 2025.

Photo credit: Wilfred Nyangaresi | Nation Media Group

“The deal was that since I am the Governor, I take 20 acres, while the rest was to be shared among the leaders, which I declined. This marked the beginning of my tribulation; the talk of my impeachment started three weeks after my swearing in. They wanted to have someone who could cave to their demands," the county chief said.

On April 15, 2025, detectives from EACC, accompanied by a contingent of heavily armed police officers, raided Wamatangi’s residence in Kabete, Kiambu.

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Following the highly publicised raid, EACC boss Abdi Mohamed, in a statement, said Wamatangi was under investigation for alleged graft relating to Sh1.5 billion procurement deals in Kiambu County.

In January, businesses linked to the Kiambu county boss near Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi were demolished in a dawn raid.

Kenya Railways officials, accompanied by armed police officers brought down a restaurant, car wash and other structures during an operation to repossess land they said had been encroached on by the businesses.

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Sciuri@ke.nationmedia.com