'I will not join Wamunyoro!' Waiguru says as she reaffirms support for President Ruto

Speaking on Wednesday, Waiguru said she had deliberately kept a low profile for six weeks and would not join camps that "chase and deny people microphones."

"I have talked less. You have been telling me to go where people are being chased and denied microphones. I will not join Wamunyoro, I have been keeping quiet for six weeks. I will not join there," she said.

Her remarks appeared to reference an incident in which former Kirinyaga Woman Representative Purity Wangui Ngirici was denied a microphone during a visit by Gachagua to the county. Waiguru added that she would not respond to those "calling me names."

The governor made the remarks while hosting First Lady Rachel Ruto for a women's empowerment event at Kamiigua Polytechnic grounds. She was joined by Kirinyaga Central MP Gachoki Gitari, MCAs led by County Assembly Speaker Muteti Murimi, Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni Muriuki and Gender Principal Secretary Anne Wang'ombe.

Waiguru, who has largely stayed out of the public limelight since the government's loss in the Ol Kalou by-election, asked residents whether they had missed her, drawing an enthusiastic "yes" from the crowd.

She said she would continue focusing on service delivery for Kirinyaga residents rather than engaging in political commentary or frequent media appearances, maintaining that her political position remains unchanged since the era of former President Uhuru Kenyatta.

"Uhuru said he will rule for 10 years and Ruto will rule for 10 years. I'm still where Uhuru left me," she said, reaffirming her support for President William Ruto.

She also weighed in on the fragmented opposition landscape, noting the growing number of declared presidential contenders. "There were six presidential candidates in the opposition and now there are seven. I told you they will be over 10 presidential candidates and they will not be able to agree on who to pick," she said.

Kirinyaga Central MP Gachoki Gitari used the event to press the national government to deliver on its pledge to construct a Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) campus in Kianyaga, Gichugu, while noting that the promised Kerugoya KMTC campus was nearing completion.

In remarks seen as a departure from support for Deputy President Kithure Kindiki's anticipated running mate bid ahead of 2027, Gitari appealed to the First Lady to relay a message to President Ruto. "First Lady, go and tell the President that because of gender, pick Waiguru as running mate in 2027," he said.