Former Bahati MP Kimani Ngunjiri has officially launched the Farmers Party in Nakuru County, marking a significant step in his political comeback ahead of the 2027 General Election. The party aims to prioritize the interests and rights of farmers while providing a platform for ordinary Kenyans to address issues affecting them. Ngunjiri unveiled the party on September 26, 2026, after months of preparations. He described the Farmers Party as a grassroots movement that will push for the concerns of ordinary Kenyans to be heard at the national level.
Ngunjiri's decision to start the Farmers Party was influenced by his experiences in other political parties, where he claimed to have faced mistreatment. He stated that the new party will focus on listening to people at the grassroots level and ensuring their concerns reach the national level. The party's launch was attended by opposition leaders, including Martha Karua, who is the leader of the People's Liberation Party (PLP). The event also marked the opening of the party's constituency office in Bahati and its county office in Nakuru.
The Farmers Party is seen as a new political vehicle for Ngunjiri, who previously contested the Bahati parliamentary seat under the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) in the 2022 General Election. He has stated that his experience in UDA shaped his decision to create a political party of his own, which he can use to engage and negotiate with other political formations. Ngunjiri lost the Bahati parliamentary seat to MP Mrembo Njoki in the 2022 elections and has previously linked his defeat to internal problems within UDA.
Ngunjiri has been actively engaging with opposition leaders, including Martha Karua and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka. He recently met with Karua to discuss the country's political direction and state of peace in Kenya. His interactions with opposition leaders have placed him back in active political circles, indicating a wider engagement beyond the Kenya Kwanza administration. Ngunjiri also held talks with Kalonzo Musyoka at the SKM Centre, further expanding his engagement with leaders outside the government side.
The launch of the Farmers Party gives Ngunjiri a separate political platform as he prepares for another attempt to reclaim the Bahati seat in the 2027 General Election. Ngunjiri has accused Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika of interfering with his re-election campaign in 2022, claiming she worked against his bid and backed his opponent. He has also questioned how President William Ruto secured a significant number of votes in Bahati while he failed to retain the parliamentary seat despite campaigning for the President.
Ngunjiri's move to establish the Farmers Party comes as he seeks to establish a political base ahead of the 2027 General Election. The party aims to address issues affecting farmers and ordinary Kenyans, who often feel that their concerns are not being heard at the national level. By creating a platform for these groups, Ngunjiri hopes to gain support and eventually reclaim the Bahati seat. His recent interactions with opposition leaders suggest that he is building alliances that could be crucial in his future political endeavors.
The Farmers Party is set to play a significant role in Kenyan politics, particularly in the 2027 General Election. Ngunjiri's decision to launch the party has been seen as a strategic move to capitalize on the concerns of farmers and ordinary Kenyans. As the party begins to take shape, it will be interesting to see how it performs in the upcoming elections and whether it can become a major player in Kenyan politics.
Key points
- Kimani Ngunjiri launches Farmers Party to advocate for farmers' rights and ordinary Kenyans' concerns ahead of the 2027 General Election.
- The party aims to provide a platform for ordinary Kenyans to address issues affecting them and push for their concerns to be heard at the national level.
- Ngunjiri's move is seen as a strategic attempt to reclaim the Bahati seat in the 2027 General Election.
