NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 8 – Kenya Revenue Authority Chairperson Ndiritu Muriithi has formally declared his candidacy for the Laikipia governorship, setting up a competitive race for the county’s top seat in the 2027 General Election.
Muriithi, who served as governor from 2017 to 2022, announced his bid on Saturday in Nyahururu town, confirming he will run on a Reform Party of Kenya (RPK) ticket. The declaration marks his return to elective politics after losing his re-election bid in 2022 to incumbent Governor Joshua Irungu.
In the 2022 contest, Irungu secured 113,783 votes against Muriithi’s 48,563 votes. Irungu ran on a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket while Muriithi contested under the Jubilee Party within the Azimio la Umoja coalition. Muriithi conceded defeat and pledged a smooth transition.
The political history between the two spans a decade. Irungu served as the inaugural Laikipia governor from 2013 to 2017 before Muriithi unseated him in 2017, running as an independent candidate after failing to secure the Jubilee nomination. Irungu reclaimed the seat five years later. Now serving his second and final term, Irungu is ineligible to run in 2027, intensifying competition among potential successors.
The gubernatorial race is already taking shape. Laikipia East Member of Parliament Mwangi Kiunjuri, a former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary, declared his intention to run in February. Former Laikipia Woman Representative Catherine Waruguru has also been linked to the contest.
Muriithi’s choice of party vehicle is politically significant. In May, he ruled out joining the Democratic Citizens Party associated with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, opting instead for the RPK. The party has positioned itself against what Muriithi describes as balkanisation and isolationist politics in the Mount Kenya region.
His candidacy adds a unique dimension given his current national role. Muriithi assumed the KRA board chairmanship in January 2025, bringing over three decades of public and private sector experience. His background includes serving as Laikipia West Member of Parliament from 2007 to 2013 and as Assistant Minister for Industrialisation under former President Mwai Kibaki. He was also involved in early development of the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) Corridor programme.
During his gubernatorial term, Muriithi’s administration pursued several infrastructure and economic initiatives. These included the Laikipia County Infrastructure Bond, the Nanyuki Bulk Water project, the Laikipia Beef Special Purpose Vehicle, and a county equipment leasing programme. His government also implemented public service reforms and enterprise development initiatives.
The 2027 election will test Muriithi’s ability to rebuild the political coalition that carried him to victory in 2017, particularly after his substantial defeat five years later. It also presents a fresh gauge of his standing following years away from elective office and his transition to national tax administration leadership. For Muriithi, the contest represents an attempt to reclaim the office he lost in 2022.
