Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has issued a firm call for political loyalty, urging the Mount Kenya region to honour what she terms the ‘Kumi ya Ruto’ pact by solidly backing President William Ruto. Speaking in the region, Waiguru framed the agreement as a binding political and economic covenant that secured the region’s support for Ruto’s presidency in the 2022 elections.
The Governor argued that upholding this pact is crucial for the region’s continued influence and development. “When we make a political agreement, we must honour it. The ‘Kumi ya Ruto’ understanding was not for short-term gain but for the long-term stability and prosperity of our people,” Waiguru stated. Her remarks are widely seen as a direct response to growing murmurs of dissatisfaction within the Mount Kenya region over the perceived pace of economic delivery and recent contentious government policies.
Waiguru, a key United Democratic Alliance (UDA) figure, emphasized that reneging on the agreement would be politically shortsighted. She stressed that maintaining a united front is essential to ensure the region’s interests are effectively championed at the national level. “Our strength and our bargaining power lie in our unity and consistency. Fragmenting our support only dilutes our voice,” she added.
The call comes at a sensitive time as the Kenya Kwanza administration navigates economic headwinds and public dissent. By invoking the ‘Kumi ya Ruto’ pact, Waiguru aims to reinforce regional discipline, framing continued support for President Ruto not merely as loyalty but as a strategic necessity for Mount Kenya’s future political relevance and access to national resources. Her message is clear: honour the deal, maintain unity, and secure the region’s stake in the national government.
