SHE MEANS BUSINESS| Why I Won’t Run on UDA Ticket for Third Term – Gilgil MP Martha Wangari

• Wangari says she is in no hurry to settle on a political party, describing it as one of the last considerations as she weighs her options ahead of the 2027 polls.

Gilgil MP Martha Wangari.

On this week's She Means Business’ Women in Politics series, we speak to Gilgil MP Martha Wangari, who has ruled out using a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket to seek a third term in the 2027 General Election, while keeping Kenyans guessing over the political party she will ultimately use to defend her seat.

Wangari says she is in no hurry to settle on a political party, describing it as one of the last considerations as she weighs her options ahead of the 2027 polls.

The legislator says her independent positions on political issues have earned her accusations of being a “fence sitter”, but maintains that she will not support wrongdoing simply because it is being done by those in government or by people on her side of the political divide.

She points to her opposition to the impeachment of then-Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, saying her position was based on whether the constitutional threshold for impeachment had been met rather than political allegiance.

Wangari also speaks about the Utumishi Girls dormitory tragedy in Gilgil, questioning what she says has been done in the aftermath and raising concerns about accountability and school safety.

The MP further explains why she introduced the Births and Deaths Registration Amendment Bill in Parliament, highlighting challenges Kenyans face in accessing birth and death certificates and the need to make registration services more accessible.

Beyond the political contest, Wangari opens up about the realities of financing campaigns, including creative ways aspiring politicians can raise resources without relying solely on well-wishers.