‘Mt Kenya Must Not Abandon the House’: Waiguru, Kindiki Promise Bigger Rewards for Backing Ruto
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru have pledged a united front to consolidate support from the Mt. Kenya region for President William Ruto’s 2027 re-election bid. During a public sensitization tour in Kirinyaga Central, the two leaders called on residents to stand firmly behind the current administration to ensure they reap the rewards of the development projects they initiated with their votes in 2022.
Joined by Governor Waiguru and area MP Gachoki Gitari, Kindiki warned against divisive and inciteful political maneuvers. He argued that true leadership requires “wisdom, not incitement or lack of direction.” The Deputy President further dismissed the opposition’s critiques as empty rhetoric, asserting that those challenging President Ruto lack a credible track record of service to the people.
“Do not mislead the people of Mount Kenya to go to the forest and not benefit from government development, yet while you were in power you didn’t build roads, markets, or connect electricity or water for them,” he told the crowd at Kagumo.
Kindiki illustrated the risk of shifting political allegiances by likening the move to building a house only to abandon it right before moving in. He cautioned that walking away from the government now would effectively strip residents of the benefits they earned through their electoral choices.
Kindiki further challenged the residents of the Mt. Kenya region to shield their elected officials from insults and disparagement by opposition figures. He advocated for a culture of mutual respect across the political spectrum, urging the public to reject any form of derogatory politics.
“Do not allow anyone to come here and insult your leaders. Stand firm but remain respectful. Do not be intimidated into silence but also do not be drawn into unnecessary hostility and contests,” he stated.
Shifting the focus to tangible development, the Deputy President commissioned the Gatarwa Last Mile Electricity Supply Project. This 9.5 million shilling initiative aims to connect 165 households to the national grid. Kindiki also inspected progress on the Kagumo-Mununga-Kiamaina-Kianjagi Road before addressing a gathering at the Kagumo Trading Centre.
During his address, he dismissed the aggressive posturing of certain opposition figures as a dead end fueled by limited influence.
“This kind of chest-thumping from some of the opposition leaders who have limited influence leads nowhere. The world is guided by wisdom not incitement, noise or a lack of a clear agenda and direction. We have seen such petty politics before and it is useless,” he noted.
Kindiki reaffirmed that the region refuses to gamble with its future by distancing itself from the administration. Instead, he promised to ensure the community reaps the full rewards of the government’s development agenda and strategic programs.
“We will ensure that our people benefit as much as possible from the development brought by this government because it is a government we elected. We will not stand by and allow outsiders, especially those who have done little for their own people to come and claim space here,” he added.
The Deputy President also called on political figures to accord the President the respect he deserves as he coordinates national growth and service delivery. He reminded the audience that past influential leaders from Mt. Kenya maintained their dignity without resorting to belittling others.
“We have had many influential leaders from the Mount Kenya region who served with dignity and did not resort to insulting or belittling others. Leadership requires respect and responsibility. Resorting to abuse against the president or other leaders lowers the level of discourse and does not help anyone,” he noted.
Kindiki highlighted the 500 million shilling County Aggregation and Industrial Park as a cornerstone for economic growth, designed to enhance value addition and increase profits for local farmers. He credited Governor Waiguru’s persistent lobbying for a dramatic expansion in the county’s infrastructure, noting that the number of allocated markets has surged from six to 22.
“We support the government because we want our people to get development. Our strategy is to stay in government to get development for our people,” he said.
Governor Waiguru on her part defended her administration’s track record, citing Kirinyaga’s rapid progress as proof of the benefits gained from a close partnership with the national government. She challenged critics to choose between “tangible development and political insults,” maintaining that the electorate’s mandate remains her primary guide.
Reaffirming her unwavering commitment to the administration, the governor vowed not to abandon the government’s development agenda. She pointed to a history of success when the Mt. Kenya region aligns with the national leadership, warning that a shift toward the opposition could stall vital projects.
Waiguru highlighted collaborative efforts, such as the massive market expansion and the Sagana Agro-Industrial City, as evidence of what strategic political alignment can achieve.
The governor dismissed the opposition’s focus on divisive rhetoric, urging residents to instead support the visible progress surrounding them. She noted that national leadership depends on a broad, country-wide voter base, making it essential for the region to remain politically savvy.
In a significant political move, Waiguru endorsed Kirinyaga Central MP Gachoki Gitari as a potential successor for the gubernatorial seat. She expressed her confidence that Gitari would maintain the county’s current development trajectory under the ruling party’s banner.
In a demonstration of solidarity, Kindiki and Waiguru pledged to work together to ensure the Mt. Kenya region retains the Deputy President’s position.
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