By James Murimi - Reporter
Kenya, 2 May 2026 - A political storm is brewing within President William Ruto’s ranks after former allies Wangui Ngirici and Millicent Omanga brushed off their abrupt removal from State-linked positions, insisting their exits were either voluntary or inconsequential.
Ngirici, the former Kenya Seeds Company (KSC) board chairperson, declared that she had already resigned before the government moved to dismiss her—framing the development as a non-issue amid her political shift to the Opposition.
“I want to tell you that I am no longer the chairperson of the Kenya Seeds Company. I resigned so as to work for you as the next Governor and make Kirinyaga great again,” she told supporters at a rally in Kirinyaga.
Her remarks came just days after National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi directed her removal as both director and chairperson of KSC in a letter dated April 30, 2026.
But Ngirici maintained the decision to leave was hers, driven by mounting pressure from constituents urging her to contest the Kirinyaga gubernatorial seat in 2027.
“When I came and listened to the residents of Kirinyaga, they asked me to come back and lead them. I resolved to give my full concentration to my people,” she said.
She also used the platform to defend her tenure at KSC, portraying herself as a reformer who rescued the parastatal from collapse.
“When I got there, I found the company making huge losses. They had even advertised it for auction in local dailies,” she said. “I have left the company producing 70 million kilogrammes of seeds, up from 18 million.”
Her political pivot has seen her align with the Opposition-leaning “One Term” movement, marking a sharp break from President Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza camp.
“This time round I have decided to listen to the people of Kirinyaga. I will be where they want me to be,” she said, as crowds responded with chants of “One Term.” She affirmed: “Hata mimi nimesema hiyo ‘One Term’.”
In a parallel development, former nominated Senator Millicent Omanga reacted with sarcasm after her removal from the board of Kenya Shipyards Limited, downplaying the significance of the decision.
“Apparently, I’ve just been officially removed from a board I didn’t even know I was still serving on,” she posted on Facebook.
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“Impressive level of coordination—decisions being made about roles that only exist on paper.”
Omanga, who recently ditched the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA), has since joined the Opposition-aligned Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Her lighthearted dismissal of the ouster stood in stark contrast to the political weight of the moment, as questions mount over whether the twin removals are routine administrative actions or part of a broader fallout targeting leaders abandoning the ruling camp.
Both women are now repositioning for 2027, with Ngirici mounting a fresh bid for the Kirinyaga governorship after narrowly losing in 2022, and Omanga confirming she will again vie for the Nairobi Woman Representative seat.
Ngirici struck a defiant tone, warning against political interference and voter manipulation.
“Kirinyaga residents will not be sold out politically. They will elect leaders of their choice,” she said.
She also cautioned against the use of hired disruptors during campaigns.
“Some individuals are paid to shout down leaders, but those noises will not translate into votes. We want peaceful campaigns here in Kirinyaga.”
The contrasting reactions—defiance from Ngirici and ridicule from Omanga—now sharpen the political narrative around their exits, as the “One Term” movement gathers momentum and exposes deepening cracks within President Ruto’s political base ahead of the 2027 General Election.