Economist and governance advocate Bonnie Mwangi has officially declared his candidacy for the Kiambu gubernatorial seat in the 2027 General Election, promising to tackle corruption, slash wasteful spending, and restore what he termed as “common sense and business sense” in county leadership.
Mwangi, who will contest on the People’s Liberation Party (PLP) ticket, made the announcement in a lengthy statement posted on his X account, where he outlined his personal journey, professional background, and vision for Kiambu County.
“I am announcing my candidacy for Governor of Kiambu County,” Mwangi declared, adding that he was humbled to seek the seat “as a member of the People’s Liberation Party, the Party of Competence, Prudence, and a Progressive Agenda for all Kenyans.”
He thanked PLP leader Martha Karua for welcoming him into the party, describing her as “a patriot, a long-term public servant, and an exemplary citizen of our republic.”
Mwangi, an economist with international experience in the United States and Canada, said his decision to enter politics was driven by growing concern over what he described as widespread waste, corruption, and incompetence in public service, particularly in Kiambu.
“Kiambu should be one of the best-run counties in the Republic of Kenya,” he said. “Instead, what do we see? We see a government too focused on itself.”
In a scathing attack on Governor Kimani Wamatangi’s administration, Mwangi accused the county government of overspending on salaries, allowances, and travel at the expense of service delivery.
“The County Government is nothing less than a criminal enterprise,” Mwangi alleged, claiming that billions of shillings had been diverted through excessive wage bills and wasteful expenditure.
He cited county spending on domestic and foreign travel, including trips to Dubai by county officials, arguing that such spending reflected “upside-down priorities” in a county where bursary allocations remain low and residents continue to struggle with poor services.
Mwangi also referenced investigations by Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission into alleged corruption involving Kiambu officials, saying the allegations had reinforced public concerns about impunity and mismanagement.
Positioning himself as a reformist candidate, Mwangi pledged fiscal discipline and promised to reduce county spending on salaries to 25 percent of the budget, saying the move could save taxpayers billions over five years.
“Prudence means discipline. It means every shilling must be treated as sacred,” he said. “Government must stop living like a cartel and start living within its means.”
He added: “I am running because Kiambu needs prudence, purpose, and progress.”
Mwangi’s entry into the race is expected to reshape the political landscape in Kiambu, setting the stage for what could become a fiercely contested battle for control of one of Kenya’s most economically significant counties in 2027.
