Gachagua sending emissaries to Ruto, claims Waiguru

Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru during a meeting on March 15, 2026. [Jane Mugambi, Standard]

Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has claimed that former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua wants a political deal with President William Ruto ahead of next year's election.

Speaking in Kariti Ward, Waiguru claimed that Gachagua has been sending emissaries for night meetings with people close to the President.

The former DP has been campaigning for the removal of President Ruto in the 2027 polls. He is one of the leaders of the United Opposition that includes Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Fred Matiang’i of Jubilee, Martha Karua of People’s Liberation Party and Eugene Wamalwa of DAP-K. 

“Gachagua We know you have been sending your cronies for night meetings with the President,” she said. “If you have issues with the president, you should come to the table directly and talk. Sending agents at night will not solve the problem.”

She claimed Gachagua was bitter with Mt Kenya region leaders who are supporting Ruto, yet he is sending his cronies for negotiations.

“Stop double standards,” Waiguru told Gachagua.

She said that when Gachagua was in office, she supported him and that with him being out of office, he cannot start attacking those who assisted him when he was in power.

“I was among those leaders who played a key role while you were in office. I supported you fully. Now that you are not in office, please let us work in peace and give us respect,” Waiguru said.

The Governor said Gachagua is attempting to consolidate political control over the Mt Kenya region in order to use it as a bargaining tool in national politics.

Waiguru said the region should not be treated as an individual’s property to be used for negotiations.

“Mt Kenya cannot belong to one person who then negotiates with it as if it were private property,” she added.

Despite the ongoing political differences, Waiguru predicted that Kenya’s political history shows that leaders who clash today often find themselves working together again in the future.

She said it would not be surprising if Gachagua and President Ruto eventually reunited politically; “In Kenyan politics, today’s rivals can become tomorrow’s partners. The history of this country shows that clearly,” she said.

Waiguru also used the event to advance her political ambitions, saying Kirinyaga County is positioning itself to produce the country’s next deputy president.

She noted that other counties in the Mt Kenya region such as Kiambu County and Nyeri County have previously produced top national leaders, including presidents and deputy presidents, and argued that it is now Kirinyaga’s turn.

“We believe Kirinyaga should also have an opportunity to produce the deputy president,” she said.

The governor added that she would negotiate for the position with President Ruto before 2027, expressing confidence that the president still enjoys support across the country.

Waiguru, who had earlier been seen as interested in the Kirinyaga Senate seat, now appears to be shifting her focus to national politics.

Her emerging interest in the deputy presidency places her among Mt Kenya leaders expected to compete for the slot, including the current deputy president, Kithure Kindiki.