Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru launched a nationwide campaign on Thursday to mobilise support for President William Ruto re-election bid in 2027, vowing to tour the country while urging Kenyans to remain aligned with the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition.
The announcement came during a gathering of around 2000 women from all regions of Kenya, where Waiguru received strong backing from female leaders who endorsed her for a future national leadership position.
A key ally of President Ruto in the vote-rich Mt Kenya region, Waiguru framed her initiative as a personal commitment to bolster Kenya Kwanza government development agenda ahead of the next general elections.
Nationwide mobilisation for Kenya Kwanza
Waiguru told the crowd she was ready to make sacrifices to crisscross the country rallying support for President Ruto second term.
“I will traverse the nation to mobilise Kenyans behind President Ruto,” she declared, emphasising unity as essential for continued progress.
She issued a stark warning to her Mt Kenya base, traditionally a political powerhouse, against shifting to the opposition.
“The region cannot afford to spend five years in the wilderness,” Waiguru said, arguing that the opposition lacks a coherent strategy to win in 2027 or deliver national development.
Working alongside other pro-government leaders, she pledged to consolidate support for Kenya Kwanza government in the region while highlighting the benefits of remaining in power.
Reviving women leadership drive
Beyond electoral mobilisation, Waiguru unveiled plans for a major mentoring programme targeting women in politics, business, religion and civil society.
She stressed the need for deliberate action to safeguard and expand gains in female representation, cautioning that complacency could erode recent advances.
“I am reviving a women leadership movement so more women step into political spaces,” she said.
Waiguru rejected the notion that leadership conflicts with family responsibilities, drawing on her own experience.
“We are mothers, sisters and wives, yet we can multitask effectively,” she noted, pointing to her achievements in transforming Kirinyaga County as evidence of capable female governance.
The governor called for collective effort, telling supporters: “I cannot do this alone. I need people ahead, beside and behind me to make Kenya great with women fully involved.”
Endorsement for future national role
The event featured a formal endorsement from the Daughters of the Mountain (DOK) caucus, a group drawing members from Central Kenya, Rift Valley, Nairobi, Western, Nyanza, Eastern, North Eastern and Coast regions.
DOK leaders praised Waiguru development record in Kirinyaga and her previous tenure in national government as ideal preparation for higher office.
National chairperson Lydia Mathia described Waiguru as an outstanding mentor who has overcome adversity to become a trailblazer.
“She is cut above the rest in hand-holding women into leadership,” Mathia said.
Nyanza coordinator Nerea Oketch highlighted visible infrastructure progress under Waiguru administration, while Meru representative Risper Ntinyari called for women to move from mobilisation roles to decision-making seats.
Issues such as gender-based violence, teenage pregnancies and school dropouts, speakers argued, would be better tackled with more women in power.
The caucus pushed for a unified women voting bloc to back female candidates nationwide.
Nairobi Winnie Aura summed up the ambition: “If Waiguru has done it in Kirinyaga, we want her to do it for the country. Our goal is to take her to State House one day.”
She urged women to register as voters to realise that vision.
Kirinyaga MCA Caroline Wanjiku Muriithi, the county only elected female assembly member, hailed Waiguru as an exceptional mentor outperforming many peers.
Eyes on 2032, not 2027
Pressed by attendees on presidential ambitions, Waiguru confirmed she harbours plans to run for the country top job but made clear it would not be in 2027.
“My focus now is securing President Ruto second term,” she stated. “We must back the winning side. I am never on the losing team.”
Recent statements from Waiguru have pointed to 2032 as her target year for a presidential bid, allowing her to consolidate national influence while supporting the current administration.
“The time for women is now,” she concluded, committing to guide more female leaders into prominent positions.
