Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has expressed confidence that President William Ruto will retain power in the 2027 General Election. Speaking to leaders in Mwea, Waiguru questioned the opposition's ability to work together at the county level, casting doubt on its prospects of forming a national coalition. She cited the distribution of political support across the 47 counties to support her argument.
Waiguru said she had asked her team to analyse the country's political landscape and concluded that 35 counties are aligned with Ruto. She exempted counties in Ukambani and the Mount Kenya region, adding that Nairobi's diverse political composition should be considered separately. The governor challenged residents to examine presidential election results to understand the distribution of support across the country.
Waiguru dismissed the possibility of opposition leaders uniting ahead of the 2027 General Election. She questioned whether opposition leaders who had struggled to unite in gubernatorial contests could successfully coordinate their ambitions at the national level. Waiguru posed the question, "If people usually fail to unite at governor level, will you manage national level?"
Recalling past political efforts to bring leaders together, Waiguru argued that current discussions on opposition unity were unlikely to produce a lasting alliance capable of challenging Ruto. She urged the Mount Kenya region against abandoning the government, claiming that doing so could leave the community without a chance to produce a national leader for decades.
Waiguru maintained that the Mount Kenya region could not afford to leave the government and align itself with an opposition she believes will remain divided. She urged residents to consider the political implications of distancing themselves from the Kenya Kwanza administration, warning that the move could affect their future political prospects.
The governor made the comments as some of Ruto's allies in the Mount Kenya region have recently defected from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA). Waiguru's remarks come amid reports of growing divisions within the ruling party. She asserted that residents should not abandon the government, citing the potential consequences for their future political prospects.
Waiguru's statement has sparked debate among politicians and residents in the Mount Kenya region. While some have welcomed her comments, others have expressed concerns about the governor's perceived attempts to sway opinion in favour of Ruto. The 2027 General Election is expected to be a crucial test for the region's political influence.
Key points
- Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru believes 35 of Kenya's 47 counties support President William Ruto.
- Waiguru doubts the opposition's ability to unite ahead of the 2027 General Election.
- The governor urges the Mount Kenya region not to abandon the government, citing potential consequences for their future political prospects.
