Vocal Laikipia Woman Rep ditches Tangatanga for Handshake

ODM leader Raila Odinga with Laikipia Woman Rep Cate Waruguru and Suna East mp Junet Mohammed at his Capitol Hill office in Nairobi on Tuesday. [Courtesy]

Vocal Laikipia Woman Rep Cate Waruguru could be on her way out of Tangatanga to the Handshake team if his Tuesday meeting with ODM leader Raila Odinga is anything to go by.

The County MP, a fierce critic of Handshake and the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) which seeks to change the Constitution held a meeting with Raila at his Capitol Hill office.

Waruguru was accompanied by Minority Whip and Suna East MP Junet Mohammed.

“Hosted Laikipia County MP Catherine Waruguru, who was accompanied by Minority Whip We held a discussion on critical national issues including constitutional reforms and national unity,” tweeted Raila after the meeting.

In a photo that was shared widely on social media, the Laikipia MP was all smile, humble and calm as Raila sanitised her hands as Junet looked on in his Nairobi’s office.

Raila's office indicated after the meeting was on vital matters of national concern and was ready to walk with President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic and constitutional reforms.

 “It is critical that we search for solutions not as members of this or that party or tribe but as Kenyans at this critical moment in history,” Raila.

The former PM urged politicians from across the political divide to support President Uhuru in his quest to transform the country.

What President Uhuru needs is support from all leaders notwithstanding their political persuasions,” he added.

Raila further called for unity, urging leaders to work together more so during the Coronavirus pandemic which has affected the country’s economy.

The move could be a blow to Deputy President William Ruto’s camp with Waruguru viewed as one of his ardent allies from Mount Kenya.

After the meeting, Waruguru took to her Facebook account to post about the meeting praising the ODM leader and President Uhuru Kenyatta for uniting the country.

“National unity is the strength that binds and inspires the people of our country. Thus, in reality, its protection, peace, independence and sovereignty are directly dependent on and relative to a nations pride, patriotism, and social cohesion is also known as unity,” she posted.

Waruguru said she was not aware Raila’s father the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga bought for President Mwai Kibaki his first car when he left university.

“By the way, one thing I didn't know is that Jaramogi Oginga Odinga bought a car for His Excellency Mwai Kibaki, the first one for that matter after his schooling in Makerere University,” she added.

She vowed to support President Uhuru to ensure that his Laikipia people benefit from State-initiated projects.

“As long as my people in Laikipia benefit from Government projects, I don't mind. They are the ones that matter to me.”

Before the meeting, the Woman Rep was one of the sworn opponents of BBI and Handshake.

Waruguru has also been a fierce critic of Raila accusing him in the past of instigating wrangles in the ruling party Jubilee.