The Show of Force at State House
On Wednesday, April 29, 2026, Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru led a massive delegation of grassroots leaders from Kirinyaga County to State House, Nairobi. The meeting, which included President William Ruto and Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, was a clear signal that the political “silence” in the Mountain region was over.
Waiguru used the platform to reaffirm her loyalty to the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and President Ruto, while launching a stinging critique against former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who has recently repositioned himself under the Democracy for the Citizens (DCP) banner.
Lashing Out: “Don’t Mistake Silence for Fear”
During her address, Governor Waiguru addressed the growing narrative that Gachagua had successfully turned the region against the government. Her response was sharp and direct.
“When you see us quiet, don’t think it’s fear. We were simply giving people time,” Waiguru stated. “Mt. Kenya is solidly behind President William Ruto, and those who think they have shifted the ground will be shocked by the numbers in 2027.”
She specifically targeted Gachagua’s tactics, accusing him of attempting to use “emotional politics” to divide the region. She famously remarked that “politics is about interests, not a love affair,” urging the GEMA community to stick with a leader who is “intellectually grounded and strategic”—referring to President Ruto.
Kirinyaga is “TUTAM” (Tuko UDA Tena Mapema)
Waiguru was categorical about the future of her county. Despite Gachagua’s frequent tours of Kirinyaga and Embu, the Governor insisted that the county remains an orange-and-yellow stronghold.
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UDA Dominance: Waiguru declared that her successor in the 2027 gubernatorial race must be a UDA candidate.
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The Defector Warning: Acknowledging that a few leaders had strayed to Gachagua’s camp, she quipped, “You will soon see them looking for the President once again.”
Why This Meeting Matters Now
The timing of this visit is no coincidence. With the Ol Kalou by-election serving as a proxy war between Ruto’s UDA and Gachagua’s DCP, Waiguru’s move serves several purposes:
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Counter-Narrative: It breaks the perception that the Mt. Kenya grassroots have abandoned Ruto.
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Positioning for 2027: Waiguru is widely seen as a top contender for the Deputy President slot in the next election, positioning herself against the current DP, Kithure Kindiki.
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Grassroots Stabilization: By bringing village-level leaders to State House, she is bypassing regional kingpins to talk directly to the voters.
The President’s Response
President Ruto welcomed the leaders, praising Kirinyaga’s role in the 2022 victory and promising continued development in rice and coffee farming—key economic pillars for the county. The presence of DP Kithure Kindiki at the meeting also underscored the administration’s intent to keep the Mt. Kenya leadership united under the current executive.
The Verdict
As the 2027 roadmap begins to take shape, Anne Waiguru has made her move. By taking the fight from the local rallies in Kariti to the lawns of State House, she has signaled that Rigathi Gachagua will have a fight on his hands if he hopes to lock the Mountain away from the ruling party.
