Ngirici hints at vying for Kirinyaga governor’s seat on independent ticket

Kirinyaga Woman Representative Purity Ngirici has hinted at vying for the county’s gubernatorial seat on an independent ticket come next year’s general elections.

Ngirici, a long-time ally of Deputy President William Ruto, has been vocal about her intention to challenge Governor Anne Waiguru for the seat next year.

Her bid to usurp Waiguru was however dealt a heavy blow in November after the current governor decamped to the DP Ruto-led United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party from Jubilee, in a bid to defend her seat at the 2022 polls.

Ngirici, speaking in Kiamagumo area in Gichugu constituency during the burial of a slain assistant chief on Thursday, advised the Kirinyaga electoratee to look at individuals when they’re casting their votes and not the political vehicles they’re affiliated to.

“Leaders attract followers, they don’t follow them. They attract them. I will be vying for Kirinyaga County’s governor seat at next year’s general elections,” Ngirici said.

“I would also like to remind those individuals joining different parties that the people of Kirinyaga will elect the person and not the party.”

She similarly noted that, in the past, Kirinyaga residents elected some leaders on independent tickets because they were not satisfied with their political party affiliations.

"During a previous election period, you elected an MCA on an independent ticket because you were not pleased by the one who was endorsed by the party you were following,” stated the Woman Rep.

“So, even now, don’t look at the party; look at what the individual brings to the table in terms of development and leadership.”

Ngirici’s utterances allude that she could possibly decamp from UDA, leaving Waiguru as the only contender for Kirinyaga County’s gubernatorial seat under the party.