Africa-Press – Kenya. Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru on Friday launched a high-profile tour of the Mt Kenya region aimed at consolidating support for President William Ruto’s re-election bid.
The Governor expressed optimism that the united opposition lacks the capacity to unseat President Ruto.
“Other regions in the country are fighting for a slice to be in the government. Why do some people want to lead the mountain in the opposition, while we are already in the government, they are promising the people?” Waiguru asked during her tour.
Waiguru’s campaign tour began with a grand entry at Nyamathumbi Primary School grounds in Gatundu North, Kiambu County, where she was received by her host, MP Njoroge Kururia.
The event featured a sports tournament and performances by the ‘Nyakinyua Women,’ a renowned cultural music group in Kikuyu land.
During Jamhuri Day celebrations at Wang’uru Girls High School grounds in Kirinyaga, the Governor reiterated her commitment to criss-crossing the Mt. Kenya region to drum up support for President Ruto’s second term.
She also officiated the Kururia Super Cup Finals in Gatundu North, donating assorted sports equipment to 54 football clubs.
Waiguru said civic education is key to enlightening residents about the Kenya Kwanza government policies and achievements under its manifesto.
She warned that failure to check misleading narratives by some self-centred politicians could see the region drift towards the opposition, losing critical development benefits.
“While some challenges are normal in government, it is wise to focus on solutions rather than write off everything and try to start over in the opposition,” Waiguru said.
She likened the ruling United Democratic Alliance to a house that only needs repairs rather than destruction. “When you find a leakage on the roof of your house, do you destroy the whole premises or you seal the hole?” she asked.
The Governor criticised the culture of forming and dissolving political parties every election cycle, saying it undermines governance.
“Nothing much changes. New parties are formed, but the leaders inside the party organ are the same. We must therefore focus on improving policies and ideologies to benefit our people rather than just forming new parties for selfish interests,” she stated.
Waiguru emphasised that the Mt Kenya region risks being sidelined from the national government if it is misled and fails to unite with the rest of the country.
She revealed that after her tenure as County Governor, she is ready to represent the mountain region at the national decision-making table under a second-term Ruto administration.
“My county and the mountain at large have reaped immense development benefits from the national government. We must secure our positions in government for continuity of our mega projects,” she said.
Waiguru noted that ongoing projects are implemented under the Kenya Kwanza manifesto and warned that involving the opposition could derail or collapse these initiatives.
She added that it is easier for the region to support President Ruto for another five years than to back an opposition leader from outside the region for ten years.
Touring the region under the banner of ‘Daughter of the Mountain,’ Waiguru condemned divisive politics and urged residents to support her efforts to unify Mt. Kenya for a common purpose.
Her call for unity was echoed by MP Njoroge Kururia, who praised her focused leadership and pledged support for the two-term movement.
Kirinyaga Assembly Majority Leader Benson Ngahu added that Waiguru’s national leadership experience makes her well-positioned to represent President Ruto in the region.
Observers say this could reignite discussions over Waiguru’s potential role as a running mate in future elections.
The tour underscores the growing momentum behind President Ruto’s re-election drive in Mt. Kenya, a vote-rich region considered pivotal to the outcome of the 2027 general elections.
