Why Alice Wahome could be walking out of Ruto’s Cabinet

By Newsflash Writer

Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome is among senior government officials who could soon leave President William Ruto’s administration to pursue elective political positions ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Wahome on Friday, August 8, announced her intention to contest the Murang’a gubernatorial seat, setting the stage for a major political battle against incumbent Governor Irungu Kang’ata, who is seeking to retain the position on a Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) ticket.

Kang’ata joined DCP on July 24 after ditching the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA), adding a new dimension to the political contest in the county.

Addressing a gathering in Kigumo, Wahome declared that Murang’a would elect a woman governor in the 2027 elections, although she stopped short of naming herself or the party on whose ticket she intends to contest.

“The governor will be a woman so that the work can progress. This time, the Murang’a governor will be a woman,” said Wahome while at a function in Kinyona, Kigumo constituency.

However, Newsflash has learnt that Wahome is expected to seek the UDA ticket as she attempts to make the transition from the Cabinet to county leadership.

Senior officials eye elective seats

Wahome’s announcement comes amid growing political activity among senior government officials who are positioning themselves for elective positions in 2027.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has stated that all public officers seeking to contest elective positions in the August 10, 2027 General Election must resign from their government positions by February 9, 2027.

Among those who have expressed interest in elective politics are Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui, who is seeking to return as Nakuru governor after serving as the county’s governor between 2017 and 2022.

Energy Principal Secretary Alex Wachira is also eyeing the Nyeri governorship, while ICT Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo is expected to make a bid for the Kiambu governor’s seat.

Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni has similarly been linked to the Kirinyaga gubernatorial contest.

The growing list of government officials preparing to contest elective positions could force the administration to make changes to the Cabinet as the 2027 election campaign gathers momentum.

DCP leader and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has also claimed that senior government officials, particularly from the Mt Kenya region, have been approaching him seeking his party’s nomination for various elective positions.

Wahome’s biggest political gamble

For Wahome, the Murang’a governorship could represent the apex of a political career spanning more than a decade.

Born in 1959, Wahome was first elected Kandara MP in the 2013 General Election and successfully defended the seat in 2017 and 2022. She resigned from Parliament after being appointed to President Ruto’s Cabinet.

She has served as Cabinet Secretary for Water and Sanitation and is currently the Cabinet Secretary for Lands and Housing. Wahome was among Cabinet Secretaries dismissed by Ruto in July 2024 before being reappointed later.

A lawyer by profession, Wahome studied law at the University of Nairobi before obtaining a postgraduate diploma from the Kenya School of Law. She worked as state counsel at the Attorney General’s chambers before joining private legal practice.

Her political career also includes serving as vice-chairperson of the Fida council and a two-year stint on the Law Society of Kenya council.