Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has dismissed claims that she betrayed retired President Uhuru Kenyatta when she abandoned the Jubilee Party and joined President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) during the 2022 election campaigns.
Waiguru said Uhuru was aware of her decision before she moved to Ruto’s camp, arguing that her political survival and bid for a second term as governor influenced her decision.
Speaking during a television interview on Sunday night, Waiguru said she had personally met Uhuru and informed him that she intended to leave Jubilee.
“I had a meeting with Uhuru before I moved to Ruto. I told him I was leaving, and he asked why. I said I needed to run for my second term,” she said.
Waiguru said she had faced an attempted impeachment and feared that seeking re-election while remaining in a minority party would undermine her chances.
“I didn’t betray him; he was aware that I was going,” she said.
Waiguru was one of Uhuru's trusted political confidants before the 2022 general elections.
The governor also weighed in on the 2027 presidential contest, dismissing the prospects of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, Wiper Patriotic Front (WPF) leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Jubilee Party presidential candidate Fred Matiang’i against Ruto.
She said she did not see Kalonzo deputising Sifuna, adding that some of Kalonzo’s supporters had indicated they would support Ruto if their preferred candidate did not emerge.
Waiguru also cited similar sentiments from Kisii, where she said some voters had expressed willingness to support Ruto if Matiang’i was not their candidate.
“I believe Sifuna has a future, but I don’t think that future is 2027,” she said.
The governor further warned that the Democratic Congress Party (DCP), led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, could inadvertently suppress voter turnout in Mt Kenya if it becomes too dominant.
Waiguru argued that voters are more likely to participate when there is genuine competition, saying the perception that a DCP candidate has already secured victory could discourage some voters from turning out.
On Ruto’s choice of a running mate in 2027, Waiguru said the President would have to consider several factors, particularly the ability of a prospective partner to help him secure the required 50 per cent plus one of the vote.
She said gender would also be an important consideration.
Asked whether she could make a better Deputy President than current Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Waiguru avoided directly rating his performance.
“It’s not an issue of being better; it’s just a different skill set,” she said, adding that Kenya needed to make a deliberate effort towards gender equality.
On the Nairobi gubernatorial contest, Waiguru doubted whether Embakasi East MP Babu Owino could defeat incumbent Governor Johnson Sakaja, citing Nairobi’s demographics and the political fallout between Babu and Senator Edwin Sifuna.
“I doubt Babu can beat Sakaja in Nairobi; you know why? Look at the demographics of Nairobi. I don’t think Babu can beat Sakaja, especially after that thing they had with Sifuna. If he understands politics, there would be an impact, even if they say we are still together,” she said.
Waiguru, who served in Uhuru’s Cabinet before becoming governor, also expressed regret over what she described as her naivety and excessive trust while in government.
“I was very naïve, and I trusted too much. I believed too much,” she said, adding that she felt she was being set up but believed someone would protect her.
Waiguru said she remains in regular contact with Ruto, noting that she can call him directly and that they work well together.
