Lands CS Alice Wahome will contest the Murang’a gubernatorial seat in 2027 on the ruling UDA party ticket, setting up a direct clash with incumbent Governor Irungu Kangata.
Speaking in Kinyona, Murang’a County, on Saturday, Wahome said it was time for the county to have a female governor who can serve the people.
The announcement is seen as a strategic move to quash recent speculation that the Lands CS was planning to defect to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s DCP.
“Murang’a is ready for a woman governor. It is time for leadership that understands the needs of our people,” Wahome told supporters.
If she runs, Wahome will face off against Kangata, who has already announced he will defend his seat on the DCP ticket after dumping UDA.
Wahome’s UDA declaration positions her as President William Ruto’s standard-bearer in Murang’a, a direct counter to Kangata’s DCP insurgency.
Wahome’s announcement comes amid reports she clashed with Defence CS Aden Duale over his controversial “hyena” remarks targeting Mt Kenya politicians.
Duale’s comments, widely interpreted as dismissive of Mt Kenya concerns, triggered backlash from Mt Kenya leaders. Sources indicated Wahome did not see eye to eye with Duale following the remarks, fueling speculation she might bolt from the Ruto administration and join Gachagua’s DCP.
Her public commitment to run on the UDA ticket appears designed to end that speculation and reaffirm her loyalty to the ruling party. The Murang’a race will likely become a proxy war between Ruto and Gachagua, with voters caught in the middle.
