A high-profile stadium groundbreaking turns into a political soap opera as Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi allegedly abandons the event to avoid sharing the podium with rival Alice Ng’ang’a.

The groundbreaking ceremony for a new 10,000-seater stadium in Thika was meant to be a moment of unity and development. [...](asc_slot://start-slot-5)Instead, it devolved into a dramatic display of political rivalry. Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi reportedly arrived at the venue, only to abruptly leave upon realizing that Thika Town MP Alice Ng’ang’a—popularly known as "Mama Simba" (Mother Lion)—was present.

Witnesses claim the Governor’s exit was swift, leaving Cabinet Secretaries Soipan Tuya (Defence) and Salim Mvurya (Sports) to officiate the ceremony without the county boss. The incident highlights the fracturing relationship within the ruling coalition’s local leadership as the race for the 2027 Kiambu gubernatorial seat gathers premature heat.

2027 Shadows Loom Large

Alice Ng’ang’a has made no secret of her ambition to unseat Wamatangi, and her presence at major development projects is seen as a direct challenge to his authority. "The lion roared, and the prey fled," taunted an aide to the MP, framing the walkout as an act of cowardice rather than protocol.

For the residents of Thika, the political theatrics are a distraction from the real news: the promise of a modern sporting facility. The stadium is expected to nurture talent in a region known for its sporting prowess, but its launch will now forever be associated with this high-stakes game of hide-and-seek.

• The Project: A modern 10,000-seater stadium for Thika.
• The Conflict: Wamatangi vs. Ng'ang'a for Kiambu supremacy.
• The Fallout: National government officials left to navigate local turf wars.

As Kiambu politics notoriously shows, the battle for the Governor's mansion is not for the faint-hearted. Wamatangi’s retreat may have saved him an awkward handshake today, but he cannot avoid the "Lioness" on the ballot forever.

"Leadership is about showing up," remarked a local youth leader. "Today, one leader showed up, and the other showed his back."