By Patricia Mollyne Mataga
Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has waded into the ongoing debate over the leadership of the Mount Kenya region.
This follows the emergence of several camps in the vote-rich region.
Over the weekend, a group of leaders came out to declare their support for Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, claiming there was a plot to sideline him.
Embakasi North Member of Parliament James Gakuya in a speech during a church service attended by the DP warns against any attempts to impose a generational change in the region’s leadership.
Gakuya singled out Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro and digital strategist Dennis Itumbi as those behind the plot to destabilize the region with early campaigns.
But in a statement on Monday, May 20, 2024, the Kirinyaga County boss challenged those allied to the second in command to allow for progressive democracy.
According to Waiguru, leaders hold positions in owners’ trust and hence should not feel entitled or threatened by others’ aspirations.
She also challenged current holders of high officers to allow others to dream of being where they are.
“While we respect the office of the Deputy President, and indeed any other office of leadership, a progressive democracy does not allow us as occupiers of public leadership offices to personalize them to the extent that it becomes taboo for anyone else to nurture and express ambition to occupy them,” Waiguru said.
“We hold these offices in trust not as owners. Let us recognize the right of all, especially our women and our youth to aspire to high office,” she added.
The county boss also challenged the Mount Kenya leadership to hold young leaders’ hands in mentorship on political and socioeconomic leadership.
She said “Everyone has a right to dream & pursue their dreams like those in current leadership dreamt and their dreams actualized by the support of millions of youth & women. They too, deserve support, not hostility. Hopefully, we all seek the best for Kenya.”
Waiguru has been among those eyeing the running mate position in 2027 alongside Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro.
But DP Gachagua’s allies insist he is the undisputed Mount Kenya leader who will take over from Ruto in 2032.