Waiguru eyes Ruto's running mate slot ahead of 2027 General Election

Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has declared her interest in the Deputy President’s seat ahead of the 2027 General Election, ruling out a bid for the county’s Senate seat after completing her second term as governor.

Waiguru, who on Friday endorsed her County Executive Committee Member for Cooperatives, Trade and Tourism, Calvert Njeru, for the Senate seat, said she was focused on securing a position at the national leadership table rather than seeking an elective post she considers a step backwards.

Waiguru said she was positioning herself for a role in the national leadership, citing her presence alongside President William Ruto during key international engagements.

“There were those suggesting that I vie for the senate seat but I said, msinirudishe nyuma tafadhali, twende tukipanda. Nitasimama na Calvert tumsaidie kiti ya senate. Calvert amesoma na anatosha na atawafanyia kazi nzuri kama Senator wenu; he has my blessings as governor,” she said.

“Mimi ninajipanga kwenda kwa ile meza. Niko kwa ile meza. Mimi najipanga kwenda kwa ile meza. Na tayari mkiniona, ebu nioneni…si mnaona niko pale kwa ile meza."

“Mimi, kwa sababu ya kuwa hapo, siwezi tena nitoke nianze kukimbia huku kwa barabara na sijui tunaenda upande gani. Nataka munielewe. Mukiona President ako New York, niko hapo, sindio? Akisikiza ile UN, niko hapo. Hiyo inaitwa kujipanga?” she posed.

The governor also questioned the opposition’s ability to mount a serious challenge against President Ruto’s re-election bid, arguing that its political divisions and lack of a common strategy could undermine its chances.

Waiguru has in recent weeks reaffirmed her support for Ruto amid shifting political alignments, dismissing suggestions that she could join the camp of Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua.

“I will not join Wamunyoro,” she said earlier, referring to Gachagua by his popular nickname, while maintaining that her political position had not changed since the administration 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.

Kirinyaga Central MP Gachoki Gitari has also publicly backed Waiguru for the position, recently asking First Lady Rachel Ruto to convey his appeal to the President.

“First Lady, go and tell the President that because of gender, pick Waiguru as running mate in 2027,” Gitari said during a women's empowerment event at Kamiigua Polytechnic grounds.

Waiguru’s endorsement of Njeru for the Senate seat now sets the stage for the county executive member to pursue the position with the governor’s backing, as she turns her attention to the national political contest.