William Kabogo Gitau is a Kenyan politician who served as the first governor of Kiambu. Kabogo was born in Ruiru on April 4, 1961.
He attended local schools before joining Punjab University in India where he graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce (Bcom) degree.
He returned to Kenya after his graduation and initially worked as an auditor before venturing into private business. In 2002, he ventured into elective politics after he sought the Juja parliamentary seat.
His flamboyant campaigns gained immediate national attention as he was among the first politicians in Kenya to use a chopper in an election campaign. His first term was marked with tense relations with then powerful minister John Michuki. Two of Kabogo’s brothers were arrested and charged with the murder of a CID officer investigating the Ksh5.3 billion cocaine haul impounded by police in 2004.
In the 2007 general election, Kabogo lost the Juja parliamentary seat under controversial circumstances that included widespread allegations of rigging. He successfully challenged the election of George Thuo (now deceased) and won the 2010 by-election on a Narc Kenya ticket.
The wealthy politician later switched loyalties and was part of the team that helped Uhuru Kenyatta form The National Alliance (TNA) and later negotiated a coalition with URP’s William Ruto to form the Jubilee coalition. Kabogo was elected Kiambu Governor on a TNA ticket but lost the 2017 general election to Ferdinand Waititu Babayao.
Outside office, Kabogo has remained politically active, often using social media and vernacular stations to position himself as one of the political leaders offering direction in the Mt Kenya region. He is also a close confidant of President Uhuru Kenyatta and a supporter of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).