Political commentators and Kenyans on social media have floated several names as possible replacements for Deputy President (DP) Rigathi Gachagua following his ouster. Murang’a County Governor Dr. Francis Irungu Kang’ata has joined the list of candidates fronted to deputize President William Ruto should the Senate impeach Gachagua.
He joins the long list which includes Interior CS Kithure Kindiki, Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi and Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro.
Others on the list are Kirinyanga Governor Anne Waiguru, Homabay Governor Gladys Wanga and COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli who publicly denied his interest in occupying the seat.
But who is Kang’ata? How does his political journey look like and is he fit to be the second in command.
Early life
Kang’ata was born in 1980 in Murang’a town and went to Murang’a Township Primary School between 1986 to 1993.
He was admitted to Thika High School in 1994 where he sat for his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) in 1997 and qualified for admission to university.
He was admitted at the University of Nairobi (UoN) for a degree in Law and graduated in 2005.
In 2006, he joined the Kenya School of Law and was admitted to the bar the following year.
Kang’ata earned a Master of Laws (LL.M) and PhD degrees from University of Nairobi.
He runs a law firm (Irungu Kang’ata & Company Advocates), a law firm that specializes in corporate law.
Kang’ata Political Life
Kang’ata took part in campus politics while at the UoN where he served Vice Chair of the Law Students Society and SONU Vice Chairman.
He joined national politics in 2002 when he was elected Councillor for Central Ward in Murang’a town at the of 22.
He chaired Murang’a Municipal Council Town planning Committee and represented the council in Muranga District Education Board.
Kang’ata successfully contested Kiharu Parliamentary seat on a The National Alliance (TNA) ticket in the 2013 general elections.
TNA was the party that fueled Uhuru Kenyatta to the presidency in the election alongside the United Republican Party (URP) which was led by Ruto.
Also Read: Ndindi Nyoro Profile: Background, Education, and Family
The TNA party was later merged with the URP to form the Jubilee Party of Kenya which he used to contest for the Murang’a senate seat in 2017.
He won against the then incumbent Kembi Gitura in the Jubilee primaries and was elected the Senator after garnering 55 percent of the vote cast.
Kang’ata served as Senate’s Deputy Chief and temporary speaker in the Senate.
Besides, he served as the Senate Majority Chief Whip from May 2020 to February 2021.
He successfully contested for Murang’a county gubernatorial seat on a UDA ticket in 2022 becoming the second governor after Mwangi wa Iria.
Also Read: Has Gachagua Resigned Ahead of Senate Impeachment Hearing?
Irungu Kang’ata Awards
In 2015, Kang’ata earned a nomination for the Mzalendo Trust People’s Shujaaz Award.
Additionally, he received recognition from the Central Kenya Forum for Peace for his management of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and investments in domestic water projects.
President Uhuru Kenyatta also honored him with the prestigious title of Chief of the Burning Spear.
Family
His parents, the late Joseph Irungu and the late Margaret Wangechi Irungu, lived in Murang’a town from the 1960s.
Irungu Kang’ata is married to Mary Wambui, and they have been blessed with two children.
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