Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi has opened the door to a new political alliance ahead of the 2027 General Election, saying he will not return to the ballot under the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and will only disclose his preferred political vehicle in December.
Wamatangi said he wants to keep his attention on the work of his administration for the next few months instead of joining the growing political campaigns, with roads and other unfinished projects still on his agenda.
He said his decision to stay away from early campaigns was deliberate and would allow him to complete promises made to residents before making a fresh political push.
"I have decided not to engage in early campaigns to finish the pending development work we promised until around December. But, like everyone else, we are sure which political party we cannot use," Mr Wamatangi said over the weekend in Kiambu.
His expected exit from UDA would place him alongside Murang'a Governor Irungu Kang'ata and Nyandarua Governor Kiarie Badilisha, who have already moved to the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP).
The governor said he intends to go before voters with a record of what his administration has done during his first term, rather than depend solely on party support when the campaigns begin.
He listed education, healthcare, lighting, water and agriculture among the areas where his government has invested, while noting that work on roads was still continuing in several parts of the county.
"We have delivered on 512 ECDEs, 32 new hospitals, installed 12,000 solar lights, provided water, supported agriculture and many other areas, but we are still working, particularly on roads before we go to politics," he said while inspecting road works in Riabai Ward.
The governor's position comes after a period in which he has repeatedly complained of pressure from the national government, despite having backed the administration during the 2022 elections.
Wamatangi has tied the problems he says he has faced to his refusal to support a plan involving 100 acres of public land in Gatuanyaga, Thika.
The land had been handed over to the county by fruit processor Del Monte Kenya during the time of the former Thika municipal administration.
According to Wamatangi, some politicians wanted the land divided among leaders, with him expected to receive a portion. He said he rejected the proposal and believes his refusal led to increased political pressure.
"The deal was that since I am the governor, I take 20 acres, while the rest was to be shared among the leaders, which I declined. This marked the beginning of my tribulation; the talk of my impeachment started three weeks after my swearing in. They wanted to have someone who could cave in to their demands," the county chief said.
The governor's political claims have coincided with investigations involving him and actions taken against businesses associated with him.
On April 15, 2025, Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) detectives, accompanied by armed police officers, searched his home in Kabete, Kiambu.
After the operation, EACC boss Abdi Ahmed Mohamud said Wamatangi was being investigated over alleged corruption linked to Sh1.5 billion in procurement transactions in Kiambu County.
Earlier in January, businesses associated with the governor near Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi were also brought down during an operation led by Kenya Railways officials and armed police officers.
The operation targeted structures that the railway agency said had been built on land that had been encroached on. A restaurant, car wash and other structures were demolished during the exercise.
Wamatangi has also blamed the national government's actions for growing dissatisfaction among voters, saying the situation has hurt the standing of the ruling party as more people consider political change.
For now, the governor says his priority is to finish the projects already under way before entering the political contest.
His December announcement is therefore expected to provide a clearer picture of the party or political vehicle he will use as he seeks another term as Kiambu governor.