Waiguru apologises to Mt Kenya residents over Gachagua's impeachment

Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru urges Mt Kenya residents to embrace development. [File, Standard]

Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has apologised to the Mount Kenya region over the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

Waiguru, who appears to be rethinking her political stand, claimed that the impeachment had rubbed residents the wrong way and had complicated President William Ruto's support in the region.

The governor did not criticise Gachagua or the opposition but urged Mt Kenya residents to embrace development.

Speaking in Kandongu on Monday while commissioning clean piped water to parts of Mwea West residents, Waiguru said that Kenyans should blame lawmakers who voted for the impeachment of Gachagua.

She claimed that the ouster triggered bitter politics in Mt Kenya region.

The governor absolved herself from blame, saying that she regrets the impeachment but was not involved at all.

“I was not involved with the impeachment of Gachagua. His ouster has brought a lot of bitter politics in Mt Kenya region,” Waiguru said.

Last month, the governor led a delegation of Kirinyaga residents to State House, where she said the opposition will not be able to defeat President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election.

Waiguru’s change of heart comes 14 days after the State House visit.

She stated that politics is about interests, and her support from Ruto is to ensure that the county benefits from development.

“My support for Ruto is to ensure that the county continues to receive development, let Kenyans not be lied to that counties can run without the involvement of the national government, politics is about interests,” she said.