Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has said that United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has regained ground in Mt. Kenya region as some of the leaders who had decamped retreat back.
Waiguru said the ongoing effort to consolidate party’s grassroots support is bearing fruit.
Speaking when she hosted the party’s polling stations leaders for a luncheon at her Residence in Kianyaga, Waiguru said the region has no place in opposition and vowed to ensure the residents speak in one voice.
During the event, members of county assembly, among them some who were lukewarm towards the party, publicly declared their support for the party and President William Rutos second-term bid.
“I want to ask you to look where you are being taken to, we have seen even those who had joined the other side have started coming back because they have realized the other side has no agenda,” she said.
Waiguru said recent grassroots elections have not only helped expand the party’s strength at the ground but has also redefined the party’s place in the county and the region with more people seeking leadership positions in the party.
She asked people from Mt. Kenya region to remain in UDA because they had overwhelmingly voted to put President William Ruto in power, wondering how the region could bolt out of their own government to join an opposition that has no prospects of winning the 2027 elections.
Waiguru said some of the leaders being fronted as potential contenders for the Presidency have no energy to lead the country.
She said the region has immensely benefitted from development initiated by President Ruto and therefore has every reason to remain in Government.
The governor thanked the leaders for the successfully conducted elections terming it as a demonstration that the party is still popular.
She noted that Kirinyaga is critical in shaping Mt. Kenya politics as it sets the agenda, noting that the current backing by majority of the residents reaffirms that the county was solidly behind the government.
Waiguru said that the recent elections have also confirmed who the undisputed party leader in the county is. “We do not ask for respect but we earn it through the ballot.” She said, referring to the 80% win by her camp in the grassroots elections.
“The recent UDA grassroots elections have confirmed am the undisputed party leaders in the County, 80 percent win for my team is not a joke,” she said.
She also expressed optimism that the oncoming ward level elections will be successfully conducted noting that anyone wishing to contest for Ward Party Chairman seat must possess competency and knowledge in governance since such positions are supposed to be the springboard for future government leaders.
She reiterated that the county was solidly behind the government enumerating many collaborative development projects that have been enabled by the National Government.
Her sentiments were echoed by Kirinyaga Central Member of Parliament, Gachoki Gitari, who noted that the recent grassroots elections have redefined Kirinyaga politics and put the county on the map for the highest voter turnout during a grassroots election exercise.
The Speaker of the County Assembly, Muteti Murimi, said that the grassroots leaders are great pillars and ambassadors of the UDA party and President William Ruto. He appealed for total support for the government to ensure sustained development in the county.
