Anne Waiguru has launched a new strategy in the high-stakes race to replace Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, unveiling a website that spotlights her two decades of public service.
The Kirinyaga Governor, seen as the strongest female contender, made the move as the competition to succeed Gachagua intensifies. With an impeachment motion against the Deputy President headed to the Senate, aspirants are already jostling for a potential vacancy in the country's second-highest office.
The website showcases Waiguru's journey from a Technical Advisor for Public Sector Reforms during President Mwai Kibaki's era to serving as Cabinet Secretary and Governor. Her timing suggests an attempt to seize the moment, as Gachagua’s political fate hangs in the balance.
According to a schedule released on Friday, October 11, the Senate will begin deliberations next Wednesday, with a final vote set for Thursday. Should the impeachment succeed, Waiguru is among five frontrunners vying for the position, with the list having narrowed from over ten initial contenders.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki is widely considered the top contender, bolstered by his endorsement from Mt Kenya lawmakers and regional elders. His longstanding relationship with President Ruto, dating back to his defence of Ruto during the International Criminal Court trials, places him in a favourable position. Kindiki was even a top pick for Ruto’s running mate in the 2022 elections before the former Deputy President settled on Gachagua.
Waiguru, however, has her own unique advantages. As a second-term governor, she embodies the push for gender inclusivity in leadership. Yet, her tenure as Chairperson of the Council of Governors, where she clashed with MPs over the Constituency Development Fund, could prove a stumbling block. Her abrasive reputation, likened by some to Gachagua’s, may further complicate her bid as Parliament gears up for a contentious vetting process should she be nominated.
Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata, another key contender, has strong grassroots support, especially in a county boasting over 650,000 registered voters. Known for his conciliatory approach, Kang’ata's political trajectory from ward representative to senator and now governor makes him a formidable candidate. Nonetheless, analysts question his ability to rally support beyond Murang’a, potentially limiting his national appeal.
Meanwhile, former Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri remains in the fray, relying on his deep roots in Kikuyu culture and politics. His victory in Laikipia East against the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) wave showed resilience, yet his regional focus may fall short of securing the broad-based backing needed to secure the deputy presidency.
Despite murmurs of Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi’s interest, his candidacy appears far-fetched. The failure to consolidate Western Kenya’s support for Ruto in 2022 still lingers. However, with the mountain region controlling nearly a third of Kenya's votes, the President cannot afford to alienate Mt Kenya by overlooking one of its own for the deputy role.
Waiguru’s strategy to appeal directly to the public through her new website suggests a shift in tactics, one that may redefine the narrative around her candidacy. While a recent Infotrak poll indicates that 60 per cent of Kenyans remain undecided about a Gachagua replacement, Waiguru's efforts to position herself as a reformist and seasoned leader could resonate in a political landscape thirsty for fresh faces.
