Ichung’wah Hits Back at Kang’ata After Ditching UDA

National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah has publicly responded to Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata, sharply dismissing claims that he has been pressuring the county boss and accusing him of political hypocrisy.

In a strongly worded statement, Ichung’wah said his earlier remarks directed at Kang’ata were not intended to exert pressure but to call out what he described as inconsistencies in the governor’s conduct.

“I said what I said to you… not to exert pressure but to call out the hypocrisy I saw in your engagements,” Ichung’wah stated.

The Majority Leader referenced a past meeting in Lavington during an impeachment period, alleging that Kang’ata himself had previously sought political backing under circumstances he now appears to criticise.

“Remember our Lavington meeting at the time of impeachment? That is what would constitute exerting pressure,” he said, further claiming that Kang’ata had at the time pushed to be considered for the position of Deputy President.

Ichung’wah maintained that his views on Kang’ata’s political approach had not changed, adding that he had already expressed his concerns directly to the governor.

The legislator also accused Kang’ata of invoking his name in ongoing political alignments within Murang’a, suggesting it was part of a broader strategy linked to Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

“Desist from name-dropping my name… to advance your politics,” he said, warning that he could reveal further details of their past engagements if the governor continued referencing him publicly.

Ichung’wah said he chose to respond publicly because Kang’ata had raised the issue in the same manner, signaling a deepening rift between the two leaders.

The exchange follows Kang’ata’s recent announcement that he will not seek re-election on a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket in 2027, citing internal disagreements and pressure to endorse government programmes.

The public spat underscores growing political tensions in Murang’a County as leaders position themselves ahead of the 2027 General Election.