NAIROBI, Kenya – Outspoken Kirinyaga Senator James Kamau Murango has become the talk of the town after showcasing his Kiswahili mastery during a morning talk show on Citizen TV.
Senator Murango had appeared on the TV station alongside nominated senator Tabitha Mutinda to discuss the country’s current political landscape.
Elected on a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket through the 2022 general election, Murango has since broken ranks with President Ruto and has emerged as a close ally of former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua.
During the TV show hosted by Rashid Abdalla, Murango did not have kind words for his nominated counterpart, Mutinda, accusing her of being an apologist for the ruling Kenya Kwanza administration.
“Rashid, kuna kitu ningetaka kumjibu dadangu, na kwanza kabla nimjibu niseme kwamba, yeye ni seneta maalum, amechaguliwa na chama. Na sana sana, katika vyama inafaa uimbe kama kwaya; uimbe hata kama huna kitikio. Kwa hivyo, Mimi nitamkubalia aseme semi hizo kwa sababu inambidi mwenye alikinzana na hiyo alifukuzwa kutoka kwenye seneti,” said Senator Murango.
Loosely translated: “Rashid, there is something I would like to ask my sister. And first, before I answer her, let me say that she is a nominated senator; she has been nominated by the UDA party. And very, very much in parties, it is appropriate to sing like a choir, even if you have no reaction. Therefore, I will allow her to say those words because it is necessary that the one who contradicted that was expelled from the senate.”
Senator Murango takes on President William Ruto
Senator Murango further accused President Ruto of what he termed advancing tribal politics across the country.
“Jambo la Kwanza, nataka nimuambie ya kwamba, Seneta Mutinda, tulipomchagua William Samoei Ruto kama jamii, hakuwa anaitwa Njuguna; bado alikuwa anaitwa William Samoei Ruto. Kwa hivyo hiyo dhana ya ukabila anataka kuleta sana, huo ni wimbo amekuwa akiimba,” added the senator.
Loosely translated: “First of all, I want to tell Senator Mutinda that when we elected William Samoei Ruto as a community, he was not called Njuguna; he was still called William Samoei Ruto. So that concept of ethnicity, he wants to bring up a lot; that is a song he has been singing.”
According to Senator Murango, a majority of Kenyans are complaining about the government’s incompetence.
“Wanaolalalmika kwa sababu ya utendakazi wa serikali, hawatoki Mlima Kenya pekee yake. Ukienda upande wa Magharibi pia nao wanalalamika. Ukienda sehemu za Turkana hata na sehemu zingine ambazo ziko na matatizo kibao bado wanalalamika. Kwa hivyo, asilenge kuja katika njia hiyo,” explained Murango.
Loosely translated as “Those who complain about the government’s performance are not only from Mount Kenya. If you go to the West, they are also complaining. If you go to parts of Turkana, even other areas that have serious problems, they are still complaining. So, don’t aim to come that way.”
Senator Kamau Murango sparks reactions
Netizens who watched the Live TV show lauded Senator Murango for his mastery of the Kiswahili language.
news9.africa sampled some of the reactions below:
@WaruhiuFranklin said:
“Yes, he is very popular and liked. He will be our next Kirinyaga Governor.”
@WuodAbilla wrote:
“There’s a video telling Cherargei that the mamba expedition doesn’t miss out on Burukenge; that’s what ended up being the GOATed.”
@mungaidennis39 reacted:
“Don’t forget he is a mechatronics engineer.”
@Ehrlichkl stated:
“Yes, a man of the people.”
@JUSTINKE68 wrote:
“He will be the next governor.”
The 2027 Kirinyaga gubernatorial race
This comes as Kirinyaga politics are beginning to take shape ahead of the 2027 General Election, according to a recent survey. Politrack Africa interviewed 8,294 people on its website in March 2026 to find out who they thought would be the greatest candidate for Kirinyaga governor.
The results showed that Senator Murango of the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), which is headed by Gachagua, had a commanding lead.
news9.africa understands that the results further showed that Murango would have received 4,096 votes (49.4%) to win the position if elections had been held today.
“With 4,096 votes in this sample, Murango is just shy of the majority mark, placing him in a strong position to capture the seat if the election were held today. His support creates a significant 20-point gap between him and his nearest competitor,” the pollster noted.
With 2,421 (29.2%) and 753 (9.1%) of the total votes, respectively, UDA candidates Purity Wangui Ngirichi and Joseph Gachoki Gitari trailed Murango closely.
Senator Murango declared the best-performing senator
Karanja Kibicho, a former principal secretary of the Ministry of Interior, followed the two with 670 votes, or 8.1%. Kibicho has not supported any political party.
Murango’s self-control and humility were commended by the responders.
With a 52% approval rating, he was formerly considered one of Kenya’s best-performing senators.
“I am deeply honoured to be nominated as the best-performing senator in Kenya jointly with Senator Dan Maanzo. This recognition reflects our collective efforts and the unwavering support from my family, the people of Kirinyaga, my colleagues and my team. Together, we have made significant progress in serving the people. I remain tough, committed to advocating for Kirinyaga people’s needs and working towards a brighter future for all,” he said.
The electorate’s confidence in his public work since entering politics in 2017 is crucial to his gubernatorial candidacy.
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