Murang’a County Governor Irungu Kang’ata on Wednesday revealed that he was once considered for a deputy president slot in the run-up to the 2022 General Election but turned down the offer.
The governor, who appeared on Inooro TV to discuss the state of politics including Donald Trump’s victory in the US election as well as the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigthi Gachagua, narrowed down to the moment when the offer was extended to him.
Kang’ata revealed that there was a push to have him fronted as former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s number two in 2022. He noted that officials from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party approached him but he turned down the offer due to personal reasons he could not disclose.
“I was approached by senior ODM officials to take the deputy president position but I refused,” Kang’ata revealed.
Raila Odinga addresses the media accompanied by Azimio co-principals Kalonzo Musyoka and Martha Karua on Wednesday, May 24, 2023.
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Raila Odinga
“I wouldn’t want to dig deep into it because it’s a personal matter but I gave thanks for the consideration,” the governor continued during the interview.
The governor revealed that some leaders, including an MCA from Murang’a County, had warned him against accepting the offer.
“Some warned me not to take the seat and I had many reasons and I told them I would think about it. I have always been on the opposite side of Raila,” the governor further expounded.
During the campaign period before the 2022 General Election, the then-Senate Majority Whip attracted attention after he wrote a letter to then-President Uhuru Kenyatta rejecting the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).
In the letter, Kang’ata informed Uhuru Kenyatta that the Building Bridges Initiative process was unpopular in Mt Kenya, clarifying that it was given in good faith.
Speaking on Gachagua’s impeachment, the governor revealed that he maintained his silence during the process because he did not want to take any sides.
He further alleged that he kept a distance from the impeachment debate because he did not belong to the National Assembly and his input wouldn’t have any impact.
His revelation came at a time when the country was being led by a new Deputy President, Kithure Kindiki, following Rigathi Gachagua’s impeachment as the second in command.
Kindiki was sworn into power on November 1, 2024.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki taking the oath of office during his swearing-in ceremony held at the KICC in Nairobi on November 1, 2024.
PCS