Waiguru says UDA regaining ground in Mt Kenya as defectors return

Waiguru said efforts to consolidate UDA’s grassroots support were yielding results, particularly following recent party elections.

She spoke while hosting UDA polling station leaders for a luncheon at her Kianyaga residence, where several Members of the County Assembly—some of whom had earlier appeared distant from the party—publicly reaffirmed their support for UDA and President William Ruto’s bid for a second term.

Waiguru maintained that Mt Kenya had no place in the opposition, arguing that the region should remain aligned with the government it helped elect.

“I want to ask you to look carefully at where you are being taken. Even those who had crossed over are now coming back after realising the other side has no clear agenda,” she said.

She noted that the recent grassroots elections had strengthened the party’s presence at the local level and repositioned UDA in both Kirinyaga County and the wider Mt Kenya region, with increased interest in party leadership roles.

Waiguru questioned the logic of Mt Kenya leaders abandoning the ruling coalition, noting that the region overwhelmingly voted for President Ruto and that the opposition lacked the numbers to form government in the 2027 General Election.

She also dismissed some individuals being touted as potential presidential contenders, saying they lacked the capacity to lead the country.

According to the governor, Mt Kenya has benefited significantly from development projects initiated by the national government, giving residents reason to continue supporting the administration.

She thanked party officials for overseeing what she termed a successful grassroots election exercise, saying the outcome demonstrated that UDA remained popular in the county.

Waiguru described Kirinyaga as influential in shaping Mt Kenya politics, saying the county often sets the region’s political agenda. She added that the results of the grassroots elections confirmed her political standing within the party.

“We do not demand respect; we earn it through the ballot,” she said, citing the 80 per cent victory by her allies in the party elections.

She expressed confidence ahead of upcoming ward-level elections, stressing that candidates seeking ward party leadership positions should demonstrate competence and an understanding of governance, as such roles often serve as entry points to public leadership.

Her remarks were echoed by Kirinyaga Central MP Gachoki Gitari, who said the grassroots polls had reshaped local politics and placed Kirinyaga among counties with the highest voter turnout in a party election.