President William Ruto has stepped into the deepening political tensions in Kiambu County, urging leaders to halt public blame games and instead embrace collective responsibility. Speaking during a church service at JCM Church on Sunday, February 22, 2026, the Head of State challenged Governor Kimani Wamatangi and other elected officials to close ranks, reminding them that they operate under a shared mandate within the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

His remarks followed controversy surrounding night demolitions in Githurai on February 19, where the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) cleared business stalls along the Thika Superhighway after the expiry of a seven-day eviction notice. The operation displaced hundreds of traders and triggered a new wave of political accusations among local leaders.

Addressing congregants, President Ruto cautioned against leaders distancing themselves from state actions. He maintained that governance demands shared accountability and coordinated problem-solving rather than public finger-pointing. According to the President, elected officials must focus on resolving administrative challenges rather than shifting blame.

Governor Wamatangi, who spoke earlier at the same event, defended development initiatives but described the manner in which the Githurai demolitions were conducted as unfair. While reiterating his support for infrastructure expansion, he called for dialogue between national and county authorities to protect vulnerable traders.

The governor also proposed modest compensation for affected business owners, suggesting payouts ranging between KSh 10,000 and KSh 20,000 to cushion them during the transition.

The church gathering further highlighted simmering political rivalry within the county. Thika MP Alice Ng'ang'a, who has publicly declared her intention to challenge Wamatangi in the next gubernatorial race, reiterated plans to intensify grassroots mobilization across Kiambu. Her political positioning, made in the President’s presence, underscored the growing competition ahead of the 2027 elections.

The confrontation mirrors a similar standoff witnessed in late 2025, which also required presidential mediation. At the time, President Ruto expressed frustration over premature campaigns and signaled plans to convene private talks to reconcile rival factions.

Analysts view the tensions in Kiambu  Kenya’s second-most populous county  as reflective of broader undercurrents within UDA, as leaders begin early positioning for the next electoral cycle.

Ruto’s call for unity and a “single script” is widely interpreted as an effort to prevent internal divisions from undermining the ruling party’s political standing in a region considered strategically significant to the national government.