Waiguru leads women's trio in next DP race

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Kirinyaga Governor Ann Waiguru during a previous political campaign. [File, Standard]

As the race to replace Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua hots up, three women leaders from across the political divide are staking their claim the vacancy.

In a move seen as holding President William Ruto to account on his pledge that he would be fielding more women running mates in future, Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru, Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga and Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome have thrown their hats in the ring for consideration deputies and are fighting it out with their male counterparts.

Ruto had earlier this year pledged to women that the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party will be fielding women running mates in future polls in a bid to ensure gender balance. Speaking during the launch of the G7 strategy that brings together the country's seven women governors in March, Ruto said UDA chairperson Cecily Mbarire had been mandated to ensure that the party achieves the goal of pairing male candidates with female running mates and vice versa.

"We must, as a party, lead from the front and we must make rules that when Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and myself will have decided..., we must also agree that if a man is a candidate for president in our party, a woman must be the deputy and if a woman is the candidate, the running mate must be a man," he announced.

"And we must also cascade it down to the governors. We must be intentional about it, otherwise it will not happen."

The opportunity to implement what seemed like a distant reality has now presented itself and all eyes are on the Head of State, checking to see his next move should his Deputy Gachagua get the boot in the impeachment process culminating at the Senate.

From a crowded pool of 12 names being considered to succeed DP Gachagua- should his star be dimmed by the Senate next week- the names of Governors Waiguru, Wanga and Lands CS Wahome stand out.

Theirs is not only a fight for recognition as the country's second-in-command but also a mettlesome bid at making history as the first-ever woman Deputy President.

Leading the trio is Governor Waiguru, who according to sources, is quickly gaining traction as a preferred nominee. A seasoned leader, she is touted at clinching the nomination should President Ruto decide to go for a woman to deputise him.

A poll conducted by Infotrak and published last Thursday places Waiguru as among three leaders that are best placed to fill DP Gachagua's shoes on his exit but separates her from the pack as being the leading female contender for the possibly soon-to-be-vacant position.

According to the poll, five per cent of the 1,000 respondents interviewed by Infotrak support the Kirinyaga Governor as a suitable replacement for Gachagua. This is compared to four per cent of the respondents who support Wanga.

Waiguru's recent endorsement by women governors may also have bolstered her chances.