Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru during a recent public addressKirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has intensified her call for issue-based politics, warning against ethnic mobilisation as political realignments ahead of the 2027 General Election gather momentum.
In a series of statements, Waiguru criticised both Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over remarks she said risk fuelling ethnic divisions.
Responding to comments attributed to Duale following the Ol Kalou by-election, Waiguru described the Cabinet Secretary's alleged ethnic profiling remarks as "deeply regrettable", saying it was dangerous to reduce the government's political challenges to tribal prejudice.
"Kenya belongs to all of us, Kikuyus included, and our unity must never be undermined by careless rhetoric," she said, adding that Duale owed Kenyans an apology.
She also faulted Gachagua over what she termed repeated ethnic tirades, saying every Kenyan has the constitutional right to live, work, marry and seek leadership anywhere in the country regardless of their community.
"Enough is enough. We need to provide the leadership Kenya needs, and it cannot be founded on ethnicity and sectarian division," Waiguru said.
Her remarks come as the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) says it has launched independent investigations into utterances attributed to Gachagua, Duale and eight other political leaders.
The commission has raised concern over what it describes as a worrying rise in inflammatory political rhetoric and ethnic mobilisation, warning that the trend threatens national unity and peaceful coexistence.
Waiguru's latest interventions also come at a time when her name is increasingly being mentioned in discussions on President William Ruto's potential running mate for the 2027 election, with some leaders citing her development record and appeal beyond her political base.
A recent Infotrak Research survey shows Deputy President Kithure Kindiki remains the clear favourite to deputise President Ruto in a broad-based government, attracting 34 per cent support among respondents.
The poll also found that 37 per cent of respondents were either undecided or did not know who should be Ruto's running mate. Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga ranked second with 11 per cent support, followed by Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga at five per cent and former Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho at four per cent.
Waiguru received three per cent support, ahead of Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula, who each polled two per cent.
Political analyst Calvin Muga, however, argues that while Governor Anne Waiguru has emerged as one of the names being floated for the deputy president's slot, her ability to influence the Mt Kenya vote remains uncertain.
He says the region's political dynamics have shifted significantly, and any candidate who does not resonate with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua may struggle to deliver substantial support for President William Ruto.
"When you look at someone who can mobilise across the country, I believe Anne Waiguru can mobilise to some extent in Mt Kenya. But the dynamics of the region have changed. Anyone picked as deputy president who does not resonate with Rigathi Gachagua is not likely to bring votes," Muga said.
Political observers say the debate over potential running mates is likely to intensify in the coming months, but Waiguru has consistently maintained that Kenya's political conversation should centre on leadership, service delivery and national cohesion rather than ethnic identity.
