Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has urged the Mt Kenya region to reconsider calls to abandon President William Ruto ahead of the 2027 General Election, warning that the move could weaken the community’s political influence and access to development opportunities.
Speaking during a community empowerment forum in Laikipia East, Waiguru argued that the region risked political isolation if it withdrew support from an administration it helped bring to power.
She repeated her warning that Mt Kenya could spend up to 30 years outside government if it turned against Ruto, insisting that the President had expanded his political support beyond the region.
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“I have done my calculations, and I can tell you without fear or favour that William Ruto is going to be re-elected President for a second term,” Waiguru said.
She argued that the opposition remained divided, with its leaders yet to agree on a common presidential candidate and a unified political strategy for the 2027 election.
According to the governor, Ruto had secured support in at least 33 counties, a claim she used to argue that the opposition faced a difficult task in mounting a coordinated challenge.
Waiguru acknowledged that some residents in Mt Kenya had concerns about the administration’s performance but cautioned against abandoning the President entirely.
“Ruto has done one term, and there may be issues that have discouraged people, but we cannot throw the baby out with the bathwater,” she said, adding that calls for a one-term presidency would not necessarily advance the region’s interests.
The governor urged residents to consider the potential consequences of withdrawing from the governing coalition, saying participation in the national government gave communities an opportunity to engage decision-makers and advocate for development.
“What is wiser: to remain outside government for more than 30 years or to support a government in which we are already represented?” she posed.
Waiguru said her position was informed by her experience in public service, including her work at the Treasury during former President Mwai Kibaki’s administration and her service in the Cabinet under former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
She also cited Ruto’s political support for Kenyatta during the 2013 and 2017 elections, arguing that their political arrangement had been based on an understanding that Kenyatta would serve two terms before Ruto sought the presidency.
“William Ruto had an opportunity to vie for the presidency in 2013, but he stood with Uhuru when many people were against him. In 2017, he still stood with Uhuru, even when their working relationship was not always comfortable,” she said.
Waiguru urged the Mt Kenya community to consider that political history as it determines its position ahead of the next election.
The Kirinyaga governor also called for national cohesion, warning against allowing political disagreements to fuel ethnic divisions.
She said the region’s businesses and families were connected to people across Kenya, making cooperation between communities important for economic and social relations.
“I am a Kikuyu, but most importantly, I am a Kenyan,” Waiguru said, urging political leaders to promote unity rather than mobilise communities against one another for electoral gain.
The governor defended Ruto’s development record, particularly on security, citing what she described as improvements in Laikipia following years of insecurity.
“Laikipia had security problems for a long time, but today the county is calm because of the work William Ruto has done to improve security,” she said.
Waiguru argued that elected leaders should be assessed on their performance and that achievements should be acknowledged even when citizens have concerns about particular government policies.
She maintained that the Mt Kenya region should weigh its political options carefully and consider the potential consequences for future generations.
The governor also addressed her political future, saying she had completed her development agenda in Kirinyaga and was ready to hand over to another leader to continue the work.
She expressed willingness to serve at the highest levels of national leadership, including as Deputy President, drawing applause from those attending the forum.
Waiguru also praised a community empowerment programme led by Laikipia Woman Representative Jane Kagiri, saying such initiatives could help residents improve their livelihoods and participate in economic development.
Kagiri cited developments in Kirinyaga, including improvements in roads and street lighting, as examples of what counties could achieve through cooperation with the national government.
She urged Laikipia residents to continue engaging with the government, saying this would help sustain development initiatives and access to national programmes.
The forum was also attended by Laikipia West MP Stephen Karani and Kiambu County Woman Representative Anne Muratha, who also expressed support for Ruto’s re-election bid.
