President William Ruto, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and Maragua MP Mary Wamaua in Maragua, Murang'a County on April 3, 2025/DPCSMaragua MP Mary Waithera has ditched former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s camp for President William Ruto's side.
The MP, who was been a staunch ally of Gachagua, publicly announced the shift during Ruto’s visit to her constituency.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki had earlier urged locals to allow the MP to work with the President for more development.
Kindiki said they have been working together with some local leaders such as Governor Irungu Kang’ata, nominated MP Sabina Chege, Woman Representative Betty Maina, Peter Kihungi (Kangema) and Edwin Mugo (Mathioya).
“Lakini kuna huyu mama mmoja hapa, leo tumekuja kumchukua. Tunataka mtupee yeye tufanye kazi pamoja ndio tupeleke maendeleo mbele,” he said.
(There's one lady here, we have come to take her. We want you to give her to us to work together to advance development)
When she addressed the gathering, the MP confirmed the move saying her constituents had asked her to shift camp.
“Mnajua mimi nasema kama Ruth, ya kwamba where you go, I’ll also go. Your God shall be my God and your president shall be my president,” she said, referencing to the book of Ruth in the Bible.
Waithera revealed that Kindiki is a good friend of hers and that they have been in communication since November last year.
“Nilimwambia yeye ni rafiki yangu sana isipokuwa ni kuteleza kidogo na kuteleza sio kuanguka. Isipokuwa ni yule hataki kuja, tutaungana” she added.
“I'm here now your Excellency. Nitumie kama mtu wako wa mkono na uendeleze mambo ya Maragua mbele na uniulize kura yako iko wapi 2027 (Use me as your errand person and drive development in Maragua and ask me for votes in 2027) ,” the MP said.
She appealed to locals to support the President, saying it’s been two years since the election and he has not had ample time to work.
Waithera fiercely defended Gachagua during his impeachment process last year and her shift comes as a surprise to many.
Ruto on his part jokingly said he would wonder how Waithera whom he termed as a hard-working leader was doing ‘na watu ya fitina’.
He, however, noted that he had no intention of fighting with anybody and that his wish is to work together with all.
Earlier this week, the President elicited hot debate in Murang'a county after he said he has been mentoring Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, an ally of the President that now appears distant from the Ruto camp.
The President made the comment during an interview with journalists at the Sagana State Lodge just before he embarked on his tour of the Mt Kenya region.
Four other MPs, Edward Muriu (Gatanga), Joseph Munyoro (Kigumo), Chege Njuguna (Kandara) and Joe Nyutu (senator) have remained aligned with Gachagua.
Meanwhile, Ruto commissioned Sh312 million Maragua Ridge Irrigation Project, which he pledged to inject an extra Sh200 million to help complete it.
The President further pledged to tarmac the bumpy 13 kilometre Mbombo-Gwa Thamaki road leading to the water project.
