Former Kigumo MP Jamleck Kamau. Photo/Handout
By Newsflash Writer
Former Kigumo Member of Parliament Jamleck Kamau has announced his decision to retire from active politics, triggering widespread speculation and unease within Murang’a County and the Mt Kenya region.
In a brief statement issued on Thursday, January 22, 2026, Kamau said he had made a “personal and considered decision” to step back from frontline political engagement.
He thanked his supporters and allies for standing with him over the years but stopped short of giving reasons for his abrupt exit. “I am grateful to the people who have walked this journey with me. The time has now come for me to take a step back from active politics,” he said.
The announcement immediately caught many by surprise, coming at a time when Kamau was seen as actively preparing for a major political comeback ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Shock exit from 2027 race
Kamau’s decision has unsettled his supporters largely because he had publicly expressed interest in vying for the Murang’a governorship in 2027 on the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) ticket.
In recent months, he had emerged as one of the most visible DCP figures in the county.
The former legislator had been accompanying DCP leader and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to a series of consultative meetings and political rallies across Murang’a and the wider Mt Kenya region.
Read more: Jamleck Kamau dumps Jubilee, joins Gachagua’s DCP
His frequent appearances alongside Gachagua had fuelled expectations that he was positioning himself as the party’s preferred gubernatorial candidate.
Political allies say Kamau appeared energized and focused, making his sudden withdrawal difficult to comprehend. “This is not something many of us saw coming,” said a DCP supporter in Kigumo, adding that Kamau had been actively engaging grassroots leaders until recently.
Kang’ata–Gachagua factor
Although Kamau has not explained the motivation behind his decision, political observers believe it may be linked to shifting alliances involving Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata and Gachagua.
Until recently, Kang’ata and Gachagua were perceived to be politically estranged, a situation that created space for Kamau to mount a strong opposition bid.
However, recent developments suggest that the governor may be warming up to Gachagua, potentially altering the political equation in Murang’a. Speaking on Saturday, January 3, at Kigumo during the burial of Embakasi North MP James Gakuya’s mother, Kang’ata appeared to openly express dissatisfaction with President William Ruto’s leadership.
Read more: Why Kang’ata is at ‘war’ with Gachagua
In remarks that drew widespread attention, Kang’ata hinted at the possibility of abandoning Ruto in favour of Gachagua, citing what he termed “failed” government policies. He also sought to clarify his political loyalties amid growing speculation.
“You have been speaking on behalf of the majority. I know most people have been asking on which side Kang’ata is,” he said. “Firstly, who has employed who? You are my employers,” Kang’ata added, emphasising that his allegiance lay with the people rather than shifting political camps.
Analysts argue that a potential rapprochement between Kang’ata and Gachagua may have diminished Kamau’s political leverage within the DCP, informing his decision to bow out.
Seasoned political career
Kamau’s retirement marks a significant pause in a long and eventful political journey. He previously served as Kigumo MP and later as a Cabinet minister during the late President Mwai Kibaki’s administration.
In the 2022 General Election, Kamau contested the Murang’a gubernatorial seat on a Jubilee Party ticket but lost to Kang’ata, who ran on President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
Read more: Irungu Kang’ata: The ‘gentleman’ of Mt Kenya’s vicious politics
Following that defeat, and amid waning influence of Jubilee under former President Uhuru Kenyatta, Kamau defected to the DCP on May 25, 2025.
His sudden exit now raises questions about whether he will remain influential behind the scenes or retreat entirely from public life.
By the time of going to press, Kamau had not responded to Newsflash’s requests for further comment.
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