Murang’a County Governor Irungu Kang’ata, on Monday, September 1, 2025, asked Kenyans to stop electing presidents based on emotions.
Speaking to a local radio station, Kang’ata said it is time for Kenyans to begin asking hard questions to presidential aspirants, particularly regarding the source of their wealth.
“Why don’t we ever ask where that money comes from? Unless Kenyans become a little revolutionary, by electing leaders without putting money as the premium, nothing will change,” Kang’ata stated.
Kenyans urged to rethink politics
The Governor faulted the culture of associating leadership with money, saying this has created a fertile environment for corruption and state capture.
According to him, voters are easily swayed by the vast sums of money displayed during campaigns, rather than demanding accountability or policy clarity.
Kang’ata observed that in every electoral cycle, Kenyans are confronted with credible presidential candidates who openly flaunt immense financial resources.
Instead of interrogating the origins of this wealth, he noted, citizens tend to cheer and rally behind them, later lamenting when corruption scandals surface.
The reality is that our choices as voters define the kind of leadership we get. If we keep rewarding those who spend the most, then we should not complain when corruption dominates governance,” he emphasised.
Corruption and leadership failure
The Murang’a Governor further noted that corruption scandals across successive governments have been closely tied to electoral financing.
He argued that the transactional nature of Kenyan politics creates pressure on elected leaders to recoup campaign funds once in office, often at the expense of service delivery.
In his view, a shift in political culture is necessary if Kenya is to escape the vicious cycle of corrupt leadership.
Kang’ata urged Kenyans to embrace a revolutionary mindset where ideas, integrity, and track records matter more than campaign handouts.
“This nation will only move forward when we stop electing individuals who treat politics as a business. It is time to put integrity and service above wealth and money,” he added.
His remarks come at a time when the political landscape is already heating up ahead of the 2027 general election, with presidential hopefuls beginning to mobilise resources and allies.
