Murang'a Senator Irungu Kang'ata has rubbished claims that he has joined Deputy President William Ruto's camp dubbed Tanga Tanga.
There have been allegations that the vocal Senator has joined Ruto's team which has been criss-crossing the country drumming up support for the DP’s 2022 presidential bid.
The claims emerged after Kang'ata accompanied Ruto during the burial of Jonathan Moi at Kabarak University on Saturday.
The lawmaker has, however, come out to defend his move stating that he joined the DP in his capacity as Senate Deputy Chief Whip, and to represent President Uhuru Kenyatta who was in China for a State visit.
Speaking to the Nation, Kang'ata said he was not part of Tanga Tanga or its rival Kieleweke, noting he was in the team seeking to reconcile the two groups whose rivalry threatens to split the Jubilee Party.
“The Deputy President had not called me for politics. We went to Kabarak with him to represent the government [since] the President was absent. I’m not part of any fights. I’m for peace, love and harmony,” he said on Wednesday.
The Senator is among prominent Central Kenya politicians who have refused to be drawn into the Tanga Tanga-Kieleweke fierce battle which has divided the populous region across the middle.
Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, where Kang'ata comes from, has been leading the Tanga Tanga group while his National Assembly colleague Ngunjiri Wambugu of Nyeri Town has been leading the anti-Ruto team.