Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru on the spot as Senator, Woman Rep fault her over women’s protests linked to Gachagua remarks

Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has come under sharp criticism from local leaders following claims that she financed protests against former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over remarks he made about her.

The demonstrations, held on Monday, October 13, drew backlash from Senator Kamau Murango and Woman Representative Njeri Maina, who accused the governor of exploiting women for political mileage.

In a strongly worded statement, Maina condemned the alleged payments to women who took part in the protests, describing the move as demeaning and insensitive.

“Dear Anne Waiguru, I know you despise women from underprivileged backgrounds. If you don’t, next time carry your relatives to demonstrate in this inhumane manner,” Maina said.

“These women are mothers and human beings deserving dignity. Surely, they’ve told me it’s for only Ksh500 — you can do better.”

Maina claimed the incident exposed what she termed as Waiguru’s disregard for ordinary citizens, adding that using women for political ends was both “dishonourable and exploitative.”

On his part, Senator Murango also took issue with the alleged mobilization, describing it as a “desperate act of political manipulation.”

“The move by Governor Waiguru to mobilize women along Samson Corner Highway is shameful and desperate,” said Murango.

“It is demeaning for a county leader to exploit women to advance personal political agendas. Such theatrics show a worrying disconnect from the realities facing Kirinyaga residents.”

Murango urged Waiguru to concentrate on service delivery, pointing to challenges such as poor hospital infrastructure and stalled development projects.

“Leadership is earned through service, not PR stunts and emotional blackmail. While she organizes street shows, our hospitals remain ill-equipped, dialysis machines undelivered, and wards in a deplorable state,” he said.

The senator concluded by calling on the governor to focus on fixing the health system and other public services instead of what he termed “political drama.”

“Kirinyaga deserves better action, not theatrics. And for the record, Kirinyaga stands firmly behind Rigathi Gachagua,” he remarked.

Earlier on Monday, protests erupted in Kutus, Kirinyaga County, as hundreds of residents took to the streets to condemn Gachagua’s remarks against Waiguru.

The demonstrators described Gachagua’s comments as “disrespectful and demeaning” to women in leadership, arguing that the former deputy president had no moral authority to question the governor’s political relationship with President William Ruto.

One protester, Beth Wanjiru, said the remarks were “an insult to hardworking women leaders.”

“This was not just an attack on Governor Waiguru; it was an attack on every woman leader in Kenya. She has earned her place through performance and integrity,” Wanjiru said.

Another resident hailed Waiguru as a trailblazer, pointing to her record as the only woman elected governor twice and her two-term tenure as Chairperson of the Council of Governors.

“Her transformation of Kirinyaga is visible from modern markets to a world-class referral hospital. Results speak louder than insults,” she added.

The protests also revived debate over Mt. Kenya politics, with residents accusing Gachagua of divisive tactics and political coercion.

“Since his ouster, he’s been moving around campaigning against Ruto and intimidating leaders. Leadership cannot be imposed; it’s earned through service,” said Joseph Mbucho, a resident.

Another resident, Jane Njeri, dismissed Gachagua’s claims of being the Mt. Kenya political kingpin.

“Leaders like Kibaki and Uhuru earned respect through their leadership. Loyalty cannot be demanded it’s earned,” she said.

The exchanges underscore deepening political rifts in Kirinyaga and the broader Mt. Kenya region, as leaders take opposing stands in the ongoing power struggle between Rigathi Gachagua and Anne Waiguru.