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Janet Mbugua challenges Kenyans to rethink political loyalty
19th August, 2026 01:54 PM
Janet Mbugua has urged Kenyans to look beyond political party loyalty and examine their personal values before deciding which leaders or parties to support.
Speaking about political participation on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, Mbugua said voters should not allow party allegiance to replace their own principles. She encouraged Kenyans to think carefully about the issues they believe in, what they stand for and the values they consider non-negotiable.
Putting principles before party loyalty
Mbugua argued that political choices become more meaningful when they are based on clearly defined personal principles rather than simply following a party or individual.
She noted that people may choose to register with a political party or support a particular candidate, but such decisions should come after understanding what they personally believe in.
“It is an obvious mistake. Some of you are more loyal to political parties than your own principles,” Mbugua said.
Her remarks highlight the importance of voters questioning whether the leaders and parties they support reflect the issues and values they consider important.
Understanding what you stand for
According to Mbugua, voters need to take time to interrogate their beliefs before making political decisions. She acknowledged that talking about principles can sometimes sound broad or generic, but argued that the exercise becomes important when people begin identifying their specific values and non-negotiables.
“When you begin to interrogate the things that you believe in, the things you stand for, your non-negotiables, I think it then points into the direction of saying, ‘This is why I voted, this is why I’m standing for this person or this party,’” she said.
The approach, she suggested, could help voters develop a clearer understanding of why they support particular political choices instead of relying entirely on party identity or personalities.
Looking beyond the ballot
Mbugua also stressed that political awareness should not end after a person casts their ballot. For her, understanding one’s principles should provide a foundation for political participation before, during and after elections.
“That’s what needs to carry us beyond just casting that ballot, just casting it knowing what our values and principles are,” she said.
Her comments come as political discussions continue to shape public conversations ahead of future electoral decisions. They offer a reminder that voting is not only about choosing a name on the ballot, but also about understanding the reasons behind that choice.
By encouraging voters to define their values and identify their non-negotiables, Mbugua’s message places individual responsibility at the centre of political decision-making. Rather than supporting a party simply because of long-standing allegiance, voters can use their principles to assess whether a candidate or political movement represents the issues they care about.
