Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has come under fire from local leaders after being accused of paying women to protest against former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over remarks he made about her.
The protests, held on Monday, October 13, sparked criticism from both Kirinyaga Senator Kamau Murango and Woman Representative Njeri Maina, who condemned the alleged exploitation of women for political gain.
In a statement, Maina accused Waiguru of humiliating women from humble backgrounds and using them as political tools.
“Dear Anne Waiguru, I know you despise women from underprivileged backgrounds. If you don’t, please carry your relatives to demonstrate in this inhumane manner next time. These women are mothers; they may not be from rich families, but they’re human beings who should be treated with dignity,” she said.
Maina went on to say that the alleged payments to the women demonstrated Waiguru’s lack of respect for ordinary citizens.
“I understand your ego is bruised, sorry, oops, sorry NOT sorry. We will not allow you to shame the women of Kirinyaga County and dishonor them in this manner. Surely they’ve told me it’s for only Ksh500, you surely have looted enough to give them more without indignifying them,” she added.
On the other hand, Murango criticized the alleged mobilization, calling it an act of desperation and political manipulation.
“The move by Anne Waiguru to mobilize women along the Samson Corner Highway is an utterly shameful and desperate act of political manipulation,” he said.
Murango accused Waiguru of exploiting women for political expediency instead of addressing the county’s development challenges.
“It is shameful for a county leader to exploit women for personal political expediency, using them as shields to advance her own agenda. Such reckless theatrics demean the integrity of leadership and expose her growing disconnect from the realities facing Kirinyaga residents,” he added.
Murango further challenged Waiguru to focus on service delivery rather than public relations exercises and street demonstrations.
“Governor Waiguru must understand that leadership is earned through service, not staged drama, PR stunts and emotional blackmail. While she wastes time organizing street shows, our hospitals remain ill-equipped, dialysis machines undelivered, and wards in a deplorable state,” he further said.
Murango concluded by urging Waiguru to prioritize the needs of the people instead of political showmanship.
“Instead of turning our mothers and daughters into pawns of propaganda, she should fix the broken health system and focus on meaningful development. Kirinyaga deserves better. Action, not theatrics; progress not propaganda. And for the record, Kirinyaga is solidly behind Rigathi Gachagua,” he remarked.
Earlier Monday, protests erupted in Kutus, Kirinyaga County, as hundreds of residents took to the streets to condemn Gachagua’s comments against Waiguru.
The protestors described the remarks as disrespectful, demeaning, and reflective of a deep-seated contempt for women in leadership.
They expressed outrage over Gachagua’s claim that Waiguru was being used politically by President William Ruto, saying the former DP had no moral authority to question the governor’s relationship with the Head of State.
One of the protesters, Beth Wanjiru, said the statement was not only in poor taste but also an insult to women leaders across the country.
“This was not just an attack on Governor Waiguru; it was an attack on every hardworking woman in leadership.
“Governor Waiguru has earned her place through performance, integrity, and vision, with her leadership track speaking for itself, and as such, she need not take directives from anyone,” she remarked.
At the same time, the residents praised Waiguru as a trailblazer who has redefined women’s leadership in Kenya, citing her record as the only woman to be elected governor twice and her two-term tenure as Chairperson of the Council of Governors.
“You can’t diminish Governor Anne Waiguru’s proven track record. Her transformation of Kirinyaga is visible, from modern markets and thriving towns to a world-class referral hospital. Results speak louder than insults,” she added.
The residents went on to accuse Gachagua of engaging in divisive politics and personal attacks rather than focusing on uniting the country.
They claimed that since his ouster, Gachagua has been traveling across Kenya campaigning against Ruto while coercing elected leaders to join his political outfit in an attempt to build a rival power base.
“He has turned his energy to incitement and intimidation. He is imposing leaders on the people and fighting anyone who dares to hold an independent opinion. That is not leadership, it is political blackmail,” one Joseph Mbucho said
They also dismissed Gachagua’s self-proclaimed title as the Mt. Kenya political kingpin, insisting that leadership must be earned through service, not intimidation or entitlement.
“Leaders like Mwai Kibaki and Uhuru Kenyatta became regional kingpins because they were respected for their leadership, not because they forced people to follow them.
“Even today, Uhuru remains the undisputed Mt. Kenya leader. Gachagua should stop trying to impose himself on people’s throats. Loyalty cannot be demanded; it is earned,” another resident, Jane Njeri, stated.
