I Was Shocked- Ruto on Waiguru’s Move to Ditch Uhuru
President William Ruto has admitted that he was taken aback by Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru’s unexpected move to leave the Jubilee party led by then-President Uhuru Kenyatta and join his party.
Addressing the G7 Strategy Summit of the Women Governors’ Caucus in Nairobi on Thursday, the leader mentioned that the Governor’s decision required significant bravery, especially considering the current political environment.
During that period, President Uhuru and his deputy, Ruto, had a rift, with the former aligning himself with opposition leader Raila Odinga in the race for the presidency.
“Women have also changed my perspective. Let me give you an example. Anne Waiguru, when we had a time in our politics in the side of the camp we were and it was time to make a very difficult decision whether to go or remain (in the camps),” stated Ruto.
“Among the people who made decisions that confirmed to me that women are brave, is the decision Waiguru made to join our team. When she joined our team, I could not believe it. Everybody believed she could be on the other side. It took a lot of courage.
In 2021, Waiguru, a prominent figure within the Jubilee party, generated controversy by switching allegiance to the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Party.
Before she left, rumors were circulating that the likelihood of her keeping her position as governor was low.
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When she abandoned her position, she disrupted the previously accepted scenario in which Purity Ngirici, the Woman Representative, was expected to secure the UDA gubernatorial endorsement.
Ngirici, on the other hand, failed to secure the UDA nomination and opted to withdraw from the party, choosing instead to contest the election as an independent candidate.
Waiguru emerged victorious in the election, defeating Ngirici with a margin of 8,000 votes. Waiguru secured 113,088 votes, while Ngirici received 105,677 votes.
In her victory address, Waiguru described her triumph as a miraculous outcome, acknowledging the challenges she faced in the days leading up to the official announcement.
“It is just a miracle that I made it and I want to first start by thanking God because if it was not for his strength, ability, wisdom, favor, and grace upon me, I would not have been able to be here,” she celebrated.
Waiguru has persistently collaborated with Ruto in her role as the Chairperson of the Council of Governors.
I Was Shocked- Ruto on Waiguru’s Move to Ditch Uhuru