Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has delved deeper into the driving force behind her leaving Jubilee party to join UDA, a party heavily associated with Deputy President William Ruto.
Speaking during a meeting while being officially received at Ruto’s Karen home, Waiguru said her move to shift her allegiance to Deputy President William Ruto’s camp was meant to help her remain politically relevant.
She further revealed that she sought guidance from President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Kieleweke camp(Jubilee party informal wing allied to President Uhuru) whether her move could amount to political betrayal.
“I asked for wisdom and I think I have listened. I have checked with members who are sitting here and I have even checked with people who are still on the other side,
“I have asked if it would amount to betrayal if I moved but the message I have been given is that in politics, you must be very careful to stay relevant,” Waiguru stated.
The governor on Tuesday, October 26, announced that she would defend her gubernatorial seat on a UDA ticket after consulting with the people of Kirinyaga and also seasoned politicians who understand how the game of politics is played.
Her joining UDA raises speculations she could be William Ruto’s 2022 running mate who is desperate for the Mt Kenya votes.
Last month, the governor expressed her concern over losing her gubernatorial seat if she tried to defend it on a Jubilee party ticket.
Waiguru said the ruling party had lost relevance in the vote-rich Mt Kenya region adding that she would consider shifting her allegiance for her to stay relevant in politics ahead of the 2022 General Election.
“The truth of the matter is that defending my seat if the polls were held today would be very difficult, and that is the truth of the matter unless something changes in Jubilee,
“If I ran today on a Jubilee party ticket and someone else ran on a different party, even if people felt I had performed, it would be hard to convince them to vote for me,” Waiguru said.
