Waiguru to aspirants: Stop fighting me, sell your agenda

Governor Anne Waiguru with Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui during an inspection tour of the Sagana Industrial Park/ALICE WAITHERA

Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has asked those seeking to vie for the gubernatorial position in the 2027 polls to seek support from voters instead of fighting her efforts to change the county.

Waiguru said those interested in becoming governor after her exit should focus on selling their agenda to the people.

“Kirinyaga people are very informed, and aspirants should tell residents what they have done for them. They should stop panicking because I will not be competing with them for the seat,” the second-term governor said.

Speaking in Mwea West during the distribution of assorted items for community groups in Mutithi ward, Waiguru said a section of elected leaders who have declared their interest in gubernatorial positions have been spreading lies and propaganda to win public support.

But Waiguru noted that it’s too early for residents to determine who they will vote for as other potential candidates are yet to declare their interest.

She said in 2017, she was among the last people to declare interest in the Kirinyaga gubernatorial seat but ended up defeating seven candidates who had spent years campaigning. 

“It’s still early for campaigns. Go slow; even if I will not be vying, we will ask the voters to vet all those vying and interrogate their track record,” she added.

Waiguru accused the leaders of using health care issues to campaign instead of delivering their promises to the people.

She said the upgrading of Kerugoya County Referral Hospital to a level five facility, the construction of 20 dispensaries, and the ongoing upgrading of Kianyaga and Sagana to level four hospitals, among other projects, is evidence that her administration has effected major transformation in the health sector.

At Kimbimbi, the county administration is putting up a three-story medical complex that will elevate the facility from a level three to a level four.

“Instead of spending a lot of money repainting and repairing a facility that was built in 1960s, we are building the medical complex to serve residents better,” she said.

While noting that her performance had been rated as third best in the country in the latest survey conducted by Infotrak Research and Consulting firm, the county boss said Kirinyaga residents had shown trust and confidence in her.

The governor said she will not be distracted from delivering her promises by leaders who have no development record to show.

She asked locals to keenly vet the leaders they vote for and avoid falling into the trap of electing people who may reverse the gains made in developing the county.