Wamatangi Beats Jungle, Nyoro, Kabogo, and Moses Kuria to Become Kiambu Governor

Senator Kimani Wamatangi has won the hotly-contested Kiambu gubernatorial election.

Vying on a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party ticket, the two-time senator garnered 348,371 votes to clinch the voted seat, thrashing his closest challenger outgoing Thika Town MP Patrick Wainaina Jungle (independent) who got 237,361 votes.

Former governor William Kabogo of the Tujibebe Wakenya Party came third with 106,980 votes, followed by incumbent governor James Nyoro of Jubilee Party (99,562 votes), outgoing Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria of Chama Cha Kazi (24,512 votes), and independent candidate Mwende Gatabaki who managed 4,674 votes.

"It has been an exceptional journey... The reason why we ran is that we wanted to make real change, the wish and desire that the county can start to see new leadership. Our focus is unchanged. We will be walking with tools to change this county," Wamatangi said in his acceptance speech.

He added: “As I acknowledge and honour my competitors whom I understand that losing an election is hard; I have run in three elections and you input time, resources, mind and might, and it is not in anyone’s plan that you are going to lose. They are worthy competitors, and there can only be one winner. I want to accept the crown of leading the county with humility and accept that those who competed with us put in their best and will be inviting all of them entirely to join us that have been elected so that we build a better Kiambu.”

In the senatorial race, UDA’s Karung'o Thang'wa emerged winner with 579,411 votes while Ann Muratha (UDA) won the Woman Representative contest after garnering 405,492.