After Kirinyaga Governor Anne Mumbi Waiguru recently causing a political stir in Mt Kenya by declaring that central Kenya was ready to embrace former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s 2022 presidential candidature, she seems to have now made an about-turn on her remarks.
This follows an attack from politicians allied to Deputy President William Ruto. The governor on Wednesday appeared to beat a hasty retreat, saying she was not opposed to any politician visiting the vote-rich region to woo residents.
She reiterated that Mt Kenya would listen to all suitors, but no decision would be reached on who to support for the presidency without President Uhuru Kenyatta’s blessings.
“As leaders from this region, we will be guided by our Jubilee Party leader Uhuru Kenyatta on the best way forward at the General Election,” she said at the Kerugoya Referral Hospital when she opened a new theatre.
The governor, however, added that the region would lean towards a candidate who takes care of their interests and supports an expanded Executive “to ensure that the political interests of many communities are taken care of”.
Her statement appears to be aimed at Ruto and his allies, who have opposed calls to amend the Constitution to expand the Executive.
Their defiance has been seen as an attack on the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) that is backed by Uhuru and Raila.
Waiguru said the region would not blindly give any of the presidential contenders its support, adding that there would have to be negotiations and a mutual agreement prior to the elections on how the region would benefit.
The governor also accused politicians she did not name of working to divide the region for personal gain.
She further called for the formation of a government system that will accommodate a prime minister and two deputy prime ministers.
