Muturi declares support for Lenny Kivuti’s 2027 Embu governor bid
By Mabonga Makhanu, February 14, 2026Former Attorney General and Democratic Party leader Justin Muturi has stated that he will support the Devolution Empowerment Party (DEP-BUS) leader Lenny Kivuti in his 2027 gubernatorial bid.
Speaking during an interview on Herman Manyora’s podcast, the DP leader, who in the past did not politically see eye to eye with Kivuti but later reconciled, said there is no way he could refuse supporting Kivuti in challenging the incumbent, Cecil Mbarire, whom he believes has been a letdown for Embu County.
Muturi expressed disappointment with Mbarire’s administration, noting that he had supported her in her bids for the top county seat, first in 2017 when she lost to Martin Wambora, and later in 2022 when she narrowly won by just 1,500 votes against Kivuti.
According to Muturi, Mbarire’s failure to meet his expectations is what motivated his support for Kivuti.
“I must support Leny Kivuti; our handshake must extend to 2027. What’s happening currently at the Embu County government is quite a letdown. I supported Mbarire in 2017, where she lost to Wambora again in 2022, full throttle, but in 2027, no,” Muturi said
On whether the united opposition will field a single candidate in the Embu gubernatorial race, given that Gitonga Mukunji, the Manyatta MP, is also interested, Muturi said the discussions are still in progress.
However, if they fail to settle on one candidate, multiple united opposition candidates will contest, facing each other at the polls.
United opposition zoning
He clarified that, unlike the presidency, where the coalition will field only one candidate to challenge William Ruto, for county seats like Embu, multiple candidates may run under the united opposition umbrella if no agreement is reached.
This follows recent statements by former Deputy President and DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua, who announced that there will be no zoning for elective seats such as governor, senator, woman representative, MP, and MCA.
Gachagua noted that it is acceptable for united opposition parties to field multiple candidates in such races, with exceptions only in Nairobi and Mombasa, where zoning will apply.
Gachagua rejects Mbarire.
a past event. PHOTO/https://www.facebook.com/CecilyMutituMbarire
Gachagua has also expressed opposition to Mbarire’s 2027 reelection, stating that he will use all his influence to organise a spirited campaign against her. This has been accompanied by his ongoing visits to Embu, signalling a strong push for Mbarire’s political defeat.
Gachagua, during the funeral of Lenny Kivuti’s son, also assured him of his support in 2027 for his gubernatorial seat, saying that although he had supported and campaigned for Mbarire, she later betrayed him by being among those calling for his ouster as Deputy President.