From lighter duties to DP: Waiguru says has what it takes to be Ruto's running mate

Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru reflects on her achievements in her two terms at the helm of the county’s leadership and declares her intention to be President William Ruto’s running mate in the 2027 Presidential Election.

You have served two terms as governor; what would you consider your biggest achievements?

We have built about 20 health centres, four Level Four hospitals and a major Level Five hospital, all using county resources. We have strengthened our human resource capacity and worked with community health promoters and healthcare workers to improve health outcomes. Our maternal mortality rate is about 55, neonatal mortality is below 10 and immunisation coverage stands at 92 per cent. We are the leading producer of quality coffee in the country. This year, our coffee farmers earned Sh7.8 billion and we have achieved this through extension services, farmer training, improved factory equipment and strengthening cooperatives. On rice, we have tripled farmers’ income from approximately Sh6 billion to Sh22 billion annually through increased planting seasons, construction of a dam and lining of irrigation canals.

What is your next move?

I have expressed my interest in serving as deputy president. I believe I have the experience, competence and political capacity to serve at that level.

Why do you believe you deserve the position?

This is our government and he is the President under whose administration I serve. I have worked under three administrations; out of all the presidents I have worked with, I have never seen one more dedicated to working for his country than William Ruto.

There are tangible things that you can see in terms of economic growth, agriculture, healthcare and infrastructure. I am an economist, and I worked at the Treasury. I believe in looking at the numbers and assessing performance based on evidence. I also believe that my own experience in government, both nationally and at the county level, gives me a unique combination of skills that would be useful to the President.

What would you bring to the table beyond your political base?

My experience and background. I have worked with the World Bank, served as an adviser to President Mwai Kibaki, worked at the National Treasury and served as a senior manager at Citibank. At Treasury, I headed the Governance Unit when the country was recovering from the economic recession following the 2007 post-election violence. As head of the Economic Stimulus Programme, we managed to turn economic growth from nearly negative two per cent to approximately 7.8 per cent. I was involved in initiatives such as Huduma Centres, which brought government services closer to citizens, and the Access to Government Procurement Opportunities programme, which created opportunities for women, young people and persons with disabilities.

Is your ambition to become DP also about breaking the glass ceiling in Kenyan politics?

Gender is extremely important because we cannot claim to be progressing as a country while leaving 50 per cent of our population underrepresented at the decision-making table. We are still struggling to achieve the constitutional two-thirds gender principle.

Even getting to 30 per cent representation remains a challenge. Having a woman at that level of leadership would open doors and inspire other women to seek elective positions, occupy leadership positions in the private sector and participate in national decision-making. Gender diversity improves governance because women bring different perspectives to decision-making. A significant proportion of people working in agriculture are women, yet many lack ownership of land. When women participate in leadership, these issues receive greater attention.

Do you believe you can make a better DP than Kithure Kindiki?

It is not an issue of being better. It is about having a different skill set. I have had a long career in the civil service, implemented national programmes and gained experience governing at the county level. I have dealt with elected leaders, Members of County Assemblies and the complexities of managing government. I believe that, in a second term, these are some of the skills that could be useful to President Ruto. Ultimately, he will have to consider several variables, including experience, political numbers, regional representation and the ability to help him cross the 50 per cent plus one vote threshold.

You have missed this opportunity twice, first in 2022 and again in 2024 when Kindiki was appointed following Gachagua’s impeachment. Why do you believe this time will be different?

In 2022, I stepped down from the running-mate contest because there was too much competition among the leading contenders. I felt that if we continued fighting among ourselves, we would risk losing the election. I was the first to step down. I had an opportunity to seek a second term as governor, and I decided to take it. I could have banged tables, screamed and threatened people, but I chose not to. Then came 2024, following the impeachment of Rigathi Gachagua. My name was again among those being considered, but I was not selected. That does not mean I am not qualified. Deputy President Kithure Kindiki was selected, but that does not mean he is the only qualified person. I believe I have the experience, competence and political capacity to serve.

Have you spoken to President Ruto about your ambitions?

We speak often. I can pick up the phone and call him.

Do you believe you have the numbers to beat other women seeking the position?

I believe I have the numbers, but so does Gladys Wanga. We have actually discussed the matter. We agreed that one of us should get that seat. Ultimately, the numbers will determine who emerges.

There is already a DP from Mount Kenya. Could your ambition create divisions within the region?

I don’t want to split the mountain. I have always said that the mountain should remain one. The seat of the Deputy President is similar to any other elected position. We are in a democracy, and every five years, the field is open for competition. Democracy thrives where there is competition. We have several people from the region interested in becoming running mates. That is not a reason to divide ourselves. Even President Ruto is seeking a new mandate and has competitors.

What happens if President Ruto does not select you as his running mate?

Politics is about competition and negotiation. Nobody will simply knock on your door and tell you that you have done a brilliant job and therefore deserve a position. You have to jostle for opportunities. I have colleagues going around saying they want to become Speaker or Prime Cabinet Secretary. That is their right. So what is wrong with me saying that I want to become Deputy President? There are several people interested in the position, and we will eventually negotiate.

Government has different positions, and if someone does not get one position, there are other opportunities. I want to serve as Deputy President, and I believe I have the experience, track record and political capacity to make a meaningful contribution to the country’s leadership.

Is Rigathi Gachagua the Central Kenya kingpin?

I don’t think we have a kingpin at this point. What we have is somebody whom many people consider their spokesperson, especially those expressing dissenting views. If you ask people in Mount Kenya who they would elect as president, he does not feature among the top five. But if you ask who represents their voice, he comes out strongly.

You recently warned that Mount Kenya could remain in the political cold for 30 years if it abandons the government, how?

William Ruto has served five years, and he currently has a DP from Mount Kenya. We also have several people from the region interested in becoming his running mate. Even if the position does not remain with Mount Kenya, we know that the region is represented in senior Cabinet positions and other important government offices.

When Ruto had disagreements with his deputy, he retained Cabinet secretaries from Mount Kenya who had supported him from the beginning.