Kang'ata joins opposition camp as 2027 race heats up

Weeks after ditching the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata has joined the Linda Mwananchi team, which he said is working towards bringing change in the country’s leadership.

Kang’ata was welcomed into the team by Siaya Governor James Orengo during a rally held in Thika Town, Kiambu County, on Sunday.

He criticised the Kenya Kwanza administration’s priority of affordable housing, terming it misplaced and arguing that the funds should instead be used to finance free education.

“The Kenya Kwanza administration has totally lost it. The funds being used to support the Affordable Housing programme should be channelled into providing free education for Kenyan students,” said Kang’ata.

The Governor called on the Linda Mwananchi team to work closely with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to “liberate the country from bad leadership”.

The team said it will collaborate with the United Opposition to remove President William Ruto from office in the 2027 General Election. Speaking during the rally, they pledged to engage like-minded leaders to drive political change.

Siaya Senator James Orengo said President Ruto’s popularity is declining rapidly due to what he described as failure to deliver on campaign promises.

Orengo said the President is the main problem facing the country, adding that former President Uhuru Kenyatta had foreseen the situation and supported former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in the 2022 presidential election.

He urged Kenyans to register in large numbers, saying the Linda Mwananchi team is working with the United Opposition to remove Ruto from office in 2027. “The problem in Kenya is not the United Opposition or Linda Mwananchi; the problem is Ruto, and he must go in 2027 for Kenyans to be safe,” said Orengo.

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna said they had toured the country and concluded that the President has very limited support across most regions.

Sifuna claimed that about 80 per cent of Kenyans are opposed to the President’s leadership, adding that there would be no “miracle” to restore public confidence within the remaining term. “Most Kenyans are impoverished due to unpopular policies introduced by Ruto, which have made life very difficult. We will do everything possible to send him home,” he said.

He further said that if they form the next government, they will reduce the State House budget, accusing the President of frequently altering State House structures, which he said has increased expenditure unnecessarily.

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino urged Kenyans not to accept bribes in exchange for votes in 2027, but instead to take the money and vote out what he termed a repressive regime.

He said Kenyans were promised free education and job opportunities for young people, but instead the country is facing corruption and economic hardship.

“This government is repressing Kenyans. They are even bringing Ebola into the country, they have increased taxes and made Kenyans struggle to meet their needs,” said Babu.

Kang’ata said the Linda Mwananchi team has a clear vision for the country, accusing the government of increasing taxes on manufacturing companies, which he said has led to factory closures and rising youth unemployment.

He described the Affordable Housing Fund as a misplaced priority, insisting the resources should instead be redirected towards free education for all children. “I have asked the Linda Mwananchi team to work closely with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, as I am interested in a Kenya that creates opportunities for young people through jobs, which are currently lacking,” said Kang’ata.

Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi said the movement enjoys growing support nationwide, claiming that the Kenya Kwanza administration is panicking ahead of the next General Election.

Osotsi criticised leaders working with the President under the broad-based arrangement, accusing them of worsening living conditions for Kenyans.

Suba South MP Caroli Omondi said President Ruto had asked Kenyans to give him five years to transform the country, adding that if he fails, they should consider an alternative.

“President William Ruto promised Kenyans five years to turn the country around. Now that he has failed, we should replace him,” said Omondi.

Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka said the country is ripe for a change of leadership, arguing that life has never been this difficult since Independence due to unfavourable government policies.

Makueni Senator Daniel Maanzo said Kenyans will continue speaking out as long as the current administration fails to deliver, adding that the President should take note of growing public discontent.