Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata has said he will not be intimidated or forced into silence, insisting he will continue speaking out even as he raises concerns over claimed political pressure and the use of state institutions in targeting leaders.

Speaking during the Murang’a Youth Service graduation at Ihura Stadium on Sunday, May 10, 2026, Kang’ata said his focus remains on development and not conflict, adding that he does not seek confrontation with anyone.

“Najua hapa iko mashabiki wengi wetu ambao wataweza kupata hii nafasi. Na najua wanaweza kuwa tempted kusema hei, tulisikia governor ametukanwa mahali fulani; wacha sasa turudishe.’Hapana, Gavana hataki kutetewa na mtu; atatetewa na Mungu. Sisi ni kufanya tu maendeleo hatutaki vita,” he said.

He stressed that his leadership approach has always been based on service delivery rather than political battles.

“Lakini pia niseme mawili kuhusu politics; niseme ya kwamba plan yetu kama county, the way we had planned na mchoro yetu ilikuwa tusifanye siasa, we just do our work wakati wa campaign tupeane our mandate watu wa Murang’a waamue. That’s what we wanted,” he added.

However, he said political realities forced him to take a more open stand.

“Lakini unajua hii dunia si yangu tu iko na watu wengine na basi ikafika mahali nikatoa msimamo wangu. Na huo msimamo si personal ni vile nimeobserve hii dunia vile inaenda,” he said.

Kang’ata revealed that he had already announced he would not defend his seat on a UDA ticket in the 2027 elections, saying his decision was based on his assessment of political developments.

“Last week nilisema mimi sitatetea kiti changu na chama cha UDA,” he said.

He questioned the strategy used by political actors, arguing that some approaches risk weakening support rather than building it.

“Reason nimesema hivyo ni kwamba mimi sielewi wakati mwingine na shida ile strategy ambayo chama hiki kinatumia kuconvince watu. Nimeona chama hiki kitumia njia ambazo chama ya Jubilee ilitumia 2022 na hizo njia ikafanya chama cha Jubilee kuwa very unpopular,” he said.

Coercion in politics

Irungu Kang’ata pointed to what he described as coercive tactics used in politics.

“Kwa mfano, njia za kutumia coercion kama ni nguvu kuwatesa wale ambao wako upande ile ingine,” he said.

Kang’ata cited past incidents where public meetings were disrupted and security interventions were used, arguing that such actions often have the opposite effect politically.

“Wakati wale wanaenda kwa mkutano, kina Sifuna, kina Orengo, wakienda mkutano teargas inarushwa. Kidogo kidogo mweshimiwa former deputy president akienda kwa mkutano anapigwa. Popularity yake inapanda,” he said.

He also referred to incidents in churches and public gatherings, saying force had been used in ways that raise concern.

“Kidogo kidogo wakiona ameenda kanisa pale ACK Othaya, si tuliona na macho, si teargas ilirushwa? Kuna mtu alishikwa?” he posed.

On corruption and investigations, Kang’ata said leaders must be treated fairly and not subjected to politically driven accusations.

“Pia mimi niko hapa tu naangazia watu ambao viongozi ambao wamepata mashida katika uongozi wao. Of course ni vizuri kupigana na ufisadi, lakini pia ni kupigana na ufisadi ya ukweli si kupigana na ufisadi ya uwongo ambayo imeletwa kisiasa,” he said.

He gave an example of a Kiambu governor whose property was destroyed.

“My colleague ambaye ni governor wa Kiambu Wamatangi, vitu zake ziliaribiwa tukiona na macho. Basi tulijua hizo ni sababu za kisiasa,” he said.

Kang’ata added that he expects pressure to increase but said he will not change his stance.

“Najua hata mimi wanaweza kuanza kuniletea mashida. Lakini sawa tu, hiyo ni kawaida. Nitaendelea kung’ang’ana; sitampiga mtu, lakini nitaendelea kuongea ukweli,” he said.

His remarks come amid ongoing debate over political realignments and leadership conduct ahead of the 2027 election cycle.