Anne Waiguru: Aspirants want me as running mate

Anne Waiguru says the leaders are not carrying Mt Kenya votes in their basket, hence need to negotiate with presidential aspirants. [Harun Wathari, Standard]

Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru said she has received numerous gestures from the main presidential contenders to be their running mate in next year’s General Election.

Without mentioning names, Waiguru said conversations over the proposal have started but was quick to note that she has not given any commitment since she is still consulting on her next move, which she will announce after Mashujaa Day celebrations.

“There have been conversations on whether I will opt for the running mate post and to who among the presidential contenders. I’m honoured since it’s not every day that you have people considering you as their running mate,” the governor said yesterday.

Waiguru maintained that until she announces the next move, her efforts are geared towards defending her current post.

“We have worked for Kirinyaga people where we have initiated major development projects. I’m listening to them, and I need a rethink on how I present and package myself,” she added.

Waiguru has held meetings with Opposition chief Raila Odinga (ODM), Musalia Mudavadi (ANC) and Kalonzo Musyoka of Wiper Party.

On the ongoing unity meetings, the governor said the leaders can’t dictate to a presidential candidate what the region must get but can only negotiate since leaders will not lord over the electorate on where to cast their votes.

Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria who has been vocal in the unity meetings, maintained that they have been categorical that nearly half of the next government must be given to Mt Kenya region.

“The position of Deputy President is not negotiable, commensurate with our votes which is 40 per cent. Now that we have given in to other people to see how they can lead the country, we can’t completely give up on everything,” said Kuria.

“We want a proportional not favourable share of government. If we have got 22 ministers nationally 7 will come from Mt Kenya.”

But Waiguru differed with Kuria saying the unity meetings should focus on negotiating and coming up with a memorandum so that every presidential candidate will have a blueprint of the region’s agenda in their government.

“But then, it’s a dicey situation because these things will be negotiated. You can’t dictate to a presidential candidate. Leaders do not determine where the electorate will go, these presidential candidates will look for the votes themselves. They will not depend on us,” she said.

“We are not carrying the votes for Mt Kenya right now and there is nobody who can say that they hold the Mt Kenya votes in one basket.”

She noted that leaders can only influence the electorate to some extent but largely it is the voters who will dictate to the elected leaders which political formation to be in.

But she disclosed that the different irreducible minimums being spearheaded by Mt Kenya leaders and Ruto’s allies will soon be consolidated.

“The irreducible grounds are not different, and they rotate around agriculture, employment and being accommodated in government to ensure development in the region does not regress,” she said.

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