Kiraitu, 14 first-term governors who lost seats in 2022

By Peter Ochieng

On Monday, January 13, 2025, news filtered through that former Meru governor Titus Kiraitu Murungi had held talks with President William Ruto at State House, Nairobi.

The meeting came days after the former county boss complained that the Mt. Kenya East region, which comprises among others, Meru, Tharka Nithi and Embu counties was being sidelined and excluded from the Kenya Kwanza government.

"Meru people want to be treated equally with other people, with other regional blocs, we have a right to be in this country just like the others have a right,'' Kiraitu said shortly after President Ruto made new cabinet appointments in December 2024.  

It is not clear what the two leaders spoke about and agreed upon during their Monday meeting. Kiraitu is among over 10 first term governors, who lost their seats during the 2022 general elections. She lost to Bishop Kawira Mwangaza.

Here is the full list:

1. Wycliffe Wafula Wangamati (WWW)

Wangamati became Bungoma county’s second governor in 2017, after defeating then incumbent Kenneth Makelo Lusaka.

After losing in 2017, Lusaka was elected Senate Speaker, before coming back to dethrone WWW in 2022.

Wangamati is reportedly planning to recapture the seat in 2027. He may have a smooth sailing, since Lusaka will no longer be on the ballot.

2. Lee Kinyanjui

In December 2025, President Ruto nominated Lee Kinyanjui for the position of Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry.

He is yet to assume office because he is yet to be vetted by Parliament. If he is approved, the position will definitely propel him out of the ‘political cold,’ a position he was left to contend with, after losing the Nakuru county gubernatorial race to Susan Kihika in 2022.

3. Stanley Kiptis

The proverbial musical chairs that took place in Bungoma in 2022, also happened in Baringo as former governor – Benjamin Cheboi defeated Stanley Kiptis.

Kiptis was perhaps swept by the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) wave, which propelled Cheboi to the top seat in the county, having lost to Kiptis in 2017.

 4. John Lonyangpuo

Another game of musical chairs took place in West Pokot in 2022, as Simon Kachapin reclaimed the seat he lost to John Lonyangapuo in 2017.

5. James Nyoro

Who remembers this man, James Nyoro?

He took over as Kiambu governor in 2020, after the impeachment of Ferdinand Waititu alias Baba Yao.

Nyoro intended to come out of Waititu’s shadow when he joined the 2022 gubernatorial race.

However, he lacked political muscles to outclass then senator, Paul Kimani Wamatangi who is now the governor.

6. Francis Thuita Kimemia

From Secretary to the Cabinet to Nyandarua governor and into the political cold.

That is what best describes Francis Kimemia, who served as Secretary to retired President Uhuru Kenyatta’s cabinet, getting elected governor in 2017 before losing the seat to Kiarie Badilisha in 2022.

7. Ndiritu Muriithi

The former Laikipia governor was recently appointed chairman of the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) board.

He lost the 2022 gubernatorial contest to Joshua Irungu, the man he beat hands down during the 2017 contest.

Mentions

8. Charity Ngilu – The veteran politician lost to Julius Makau Malombe. Ngilu had beaten Malombe in 2017.

9. Granton Samboja – Lost to a newcomer, Andrew Mwadime in the Taita Taveta gubernatorial race.

10. Fahim Yasin Twaha – Issa Timamy made a comeback as Lamu governor in 2022, after defeating Fahim Yasin Twaha.

11. Ali Korane – Nadhif Jama recaptured the Garissa County governor’s seat, after beating Ali Korane in 2022.

12. Ahmed Abdullahi Jiir – Lost to Mohamed Abdi Mohamud in Wajir.

13. Ann Kananu – Took over as Nairobi governor after the impeachment of her former boss, Mike Mbuvi alias Sonko in 2020, before Johnson Sakaja was elected in 2022.

14. Mohamed Kuti – Abdi Ibrahim Hassan Guyo was easily elected Isiolo governor in 2022.

Then governor, Mohamed Kuti did not defend his seat. He quit politics in March 2022, after falling ill.