The Mountain Journal
Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has urged residents to approach the 2027 political contest
with sober minds, saying political choices should be based on leadership credentials and the
interests of the country rather than emotions.
Speaking during a Joyful Women Organization empowerment forum hosted by First Lady
Rachel Ruto in Kirinyaga on Thursday, Waiguru said voters should critically examine the leaders
seeking their support and make decisions based on what is best for the country.
“We must wake up and ask ourselves very fundamental. In politics, no one is perfect. Let us stop
acting out of emotions and instead ask ourselves the fundamental questions,” she said.
Waiguru also declared that Kirinyaga remained firmly aligned with President William Ruto’s
administration, saying the county had listened to the President’s agenda and would continue
supporting his leadership.
Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru Presents gifts of Speciality coffee and Tea to First lady Racheal Ruto at County during Joyful Women empowerment Forum.
“I had taken a six weeks off politics that why I have been silent but am firmly in government
supporting President Ruto for two tem. I send you the President’s message; Kirinyaga supports
him unconditionally,” she said.
She said the political choices facing Kenyans required leaders and voters alike to look beyond
personalities and emotions and focus on issues that would shape the country’s future.
Her remarks came against the backdrop of growing political realignments ahead of the 2027
General Election, with parties and leaders positioning themselves for the presidential contest.
Waiguru also referred to divisions within the opposition, noting that the team already has seven
presidential aspirants who may not even agree on a single candidate.
She said she had taken time to listen to the concerns and aspirations of Kirinyaga residents,
suggesting that the county’s political position was informed by the views and interests of its
people.
The Governor’s comments were echoed by local leaders at the forum, who openly backed
President Ruto’s re-election bid while also rallying behind Waiguru’s leadership.
Kirinyaga Central MP Gachoki Gitari said the county would support Ruto in 2027, citing what
he described as positive interventions by the President that had directly benefited residents and
traders.
Gitari thanked the President for reducing the cost of importing goods for small traders through
consolidation, saying the move had restored dignity to traders, many of whom come from Mt.
Kenya region and depend on small-scale businesses for their livelihoods.
He said such interventions demonstrated the importance of government policies that directly
respond to the economic realities facing ordinary citizens, arguing that the region should
reciprocate by supporting Ruto’s bid for a second term.
“We will repay the President by supporting him in 2027,” Gitari said.
The MP also called on the President to honour his commitment to establishing a Kenya Medical
Training College (KMTC) campus at Kianyaga, saying the project would significantly expand
access to medical training and create opportunities for young people in the region.
He said the KMTC Kerugoya campus was expected to be completed in September and expressed
hope that President Ruto would attend its commissioning.
Gitari also made a strong case for Waiguru in the emerging debate over Ruto’s choice of a
running mate in 2027, saying she was the most qualified woman to deputize the President if he
honours his commitment to select a woman as his deputy.
He cited Waiguru’s experience in both national and county leadership, as well as her
development record in Kirinyaga, as factors that placed her in a strong position for consideration.
“Governor Anne Waiguru is the most qualified woman to deputise President Ruto in 2027, if he
honours his promise to pick a woman running mate,” Gitari said.
His endorsement places Waiguru prominently in the emerging conversation over the possibility
of a woman serving as Ruto’s running mate, even as the political landscape ahead of 2027
continues to evolve.
Gitari, however, cautioned that the focus on women’s empowerment should be matched by
greater efforts to uplift men, saying economic empowerment should benefit all sections of
society.
Speaker Muteti Murimi similarly expressed support for President Ruto, saying Kirinyaga had a
debt to repay to the President and would stand with him in 2027.
Karumandi MCA Caroline Wanjiku, the only elected woman MCA in Kirinyaga, also urged
residents to make political choices without being driven by emotions.
“Let us put emotions aside and elect proper leaders,” she said.
The Governor used her administration’s record in supporting women and other vulnerable groups
to underscore the importance of leadership that delivers tangible results.