Waiguru Blames EACC Raids, Summons on Her Disinterest in BBI Revival

Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru in the Senate During her impeachment hearing in June 2020.
Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru in the Senate During her impeachment hearing in June 2020.
Twitter

Kirinyaga Governor, Anne Waiguru is now accusing the State of persecution, following her disinterest in the revival of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).

After the BBI flopped at the Court of Appeal, Waiguru led a group of Mt Kenya leaders in backtracking on their earlier endorsement of Orange Democratic Movement leader, Raila Odinga's bid for the presidency and urged supporters of BBI to move on.

Waiguru is now blaming the recent raid by Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) at her office and summons on her change of heart on the revival of BBI and stand on 2022 succession politics.

Through a detailed post shared on her social media account, Waiguru has stated that EACC has been raiding her offices and reviving past cases.

EACC accused the first-term governor of making an irregular payment amounting to Ksh52 million. She, however, denied the claims.

"Last time I said … 'on BBI let me keep quiet a bit...' immediately, EACC raided my office…  Recently I said am '… introspecting on the political way forward…'  and again, immediately I get EACC summons, complete with all the subtle threatening inflexibilities… and media alerts on an alleged payment of 52m," Waiguru stated.

Ann Waiguru addressing the council of governors. Source: Facebook
Kirinyaga Governor Ann Waiguru addressing the Council of Governors.
Facebook

She added that the claims made by EACC about the payments have not even been done.

"The alleged payment was allocated by County Assembly - for a pending bill that was acquired in 2010, for subdivision, allocation and cadastral mapping of over 7000 acres of South Ngariama Settlement Scheme and which EACC knows has not even been paid," Waiguru noted.

She blamed the raids on her recent lookwarm stand on BBI and the 2022 succession politics.

“Is it just coincidence, witch-hunt, or the usual attempt to shape narratives for 2022 succession politics?” she posed.

Waiguru while speaking on Saturday August 31, during a Mt Kenya leaders retreat in Laikipia, said they had not settled on a candidate for the presidential position yet. Her sentiments were echoed by Kiambu Governor, James Nyoro.

“We have not settled on anyone. There have been speculations that we are leaning towards Raila Odinga. That is not true. In fact, what we are doing is pure consultations. Whoever we think will articulate our issues is the one we will support,” Waiguru stated. 

"Many of residents think we are divided, yes, on account that we are talking to these people who are seeking the top seat, but you will witness many of these meetings before we unite,” Waiguru added. 

After the BBI was nullified, Waiguru issued a statement via her official page stating: “Kenya will go on. BBI intended well but we must respect the constitutional authority of the courts and find other legitimate means to achieve Kenya’s unity and prosperity." 

She now blames all her troubles to her sentiments on BBI and succession politics.

From left; Jubilee Secretary General Raphael Tuju, National Assembly majority leader Amos Kimunya, and Kirinyaga Governor pose for a photo during the CJ's thanksgiving party on Saturday, June 18.
From left; Jubilee Secretary General Raphael Tuju, National Assembly majority leader Amos Kimunya, and Kirinyaga Governor pose for a photo during the CJ's thanksgiving party on Friday, June 18.
Twitter