Vie for presidency in 2027, Ngilu urges Waiguru

Former Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu has urged the Council of Governors chairperson Anne Waiguru to contest for the 2027 presidential seat saying she is qualified for the top position.

Ngilu said the Kirinyaga governor is qualified to lead the country at the helm owing to her experience in leadership as well as unmatched development track records.

“Governor Waiguri is qualified to lead the nation given her experience as former Cabinet Secretary and a two-term governor,” Ngilu said.

She spoke during a summit on women's leadership organized by G7, a Caucus of women governors in Machakos County on Friday.

“Tunataka kuona mwanamke mmoja hapa Kenya akiwa rais wa Kenya. America sasa inaenda kuwa na mwanamke, na wanawake wa Kenya wanaweza (We want to see a woman becoming a president in Kenya. We have seen America is going to have a woman as President and Kenyan women can too achieve that fete),” Ngilu said.

Ngilu added:

“Since you (Waiguru) are winding up your ten years as a governor, look into a more powerful seat you will occupy, and you shouldn’t ask which seat it is.  Is there any other person more qualified than yourself? You have been a governor for two terms, cabinet secretary and therefore shouldn’t fear contesting for the presidency since you are able.”

She encouraged the other women governors to complete their two terms and see what next once they are done.

“Gladys Wanga and Cecil Mbarire, we are proud of you. You are leading the two leading parties in this country chairing what we used to call the ruling party. So, keep it up and mentor other young women on leadership,” Ngilu said.

Ngilu lauded the women governors on what she termed as exemplary leadership in their respective counties.

She told them not to be destructed by their political opponents, especially male politicians who have shown interest in their seats and therefore already campaigning to dethrone them.

“Your Excellency Wavinya Ndeti, the job you have done in Machakos has impressed us. We say thank you, continue with the good job,” Ngilu said.

“Lady governors, you have shown the whole country that women leaders can while in leadership. You are working well, you are close to the people, understand their needs it’s for this reason that I urge each one of you wherever you work to know that you have been elected by the people because you can."

Ngilu said the women governors weren’t nominated leaders, they contested against men alongside fellow women and won the seats and hence shouldn’t be intimidated by anyone.

She said women are very critical in society starting from home, and village level hence very crucial in the community, country, continent and world as well.

“Our work as female leaders is to go to villages and see how to raise those other women, and what I’m seeing before me is elevating women from where they come from. You need to go out there now, mentor young women, ensure that they will also be contesting for political seats in the next general elections,” Ngilu said.

Ngilu told the women governors that their numbers won’t rise from the current seven to 24 in 2027 polls if they won’t mentor and train other women at grassroots levels.

“I urge you to do that,” Ngilu said.