Peter Munyiri, Kenya’s High Commissioner to India, has exited President William Ruto’s government to join the opposition Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP).

DCP leader and former deputy president Rigathi Gachanga welcomed Munyiri at his Nyeri residence and confirmed the diplomat’s intention to contest the Nyeri governorship in the 2027 general election.

Gachanga said Munyiri had formally joined the party, would receive a fair nomination process and should begin mobilising supporters ahead of DCP primaries slated for late March 2027.

Munyiri’s diplomatic tenure began after President Ruto appointed him High Commissioner to India in an October 2023 reshuffle; he presented credentials to Indian President Droupadi Murmu on 27 March 2024 and later added Sri Lanka and the Maldives to his portfolio.

Before entering the diplomatic service, Munyiri held senior roles in Kenya’s banking sector, including chief executive of Family Bank and positions at Co‑operative Bank, Standard Chartered and Barclays Bank of Kenya.

The High Commission website in New Delhi still lists Munyiri as the serving High Commissioner, and it has not been confirmed whether he has formally tendered his resignation.

Munyiri’s departure follows the resignation of another Ruto appointee, presidential advisor Paul Waiganjo, who left his post in September, marking the second senior government exit within a month.

Public officers who intend to run for elective office in 2027 must resign by 9 February 2027, six months before the general election scheduled for 10 August 2027, as required by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.