Former CS Waiguru responds to Karua’s interest in Kirinyaga governor seat

Former Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru has welcomed Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua’s interest in Kirinyaga governorship saying she is within her right to run for the position.

Speaking to Citizen Digital on Wednesday, Waiguru, who has also expressed interest in the seat, said Karua is free to join the race, though exuding confidence of flooring her in the 2017 elections.

“It is her (Ms Karua) democratic right to seek election. We are not worried as we have the support of the people of Kirinyaga,” she stated.

Ms Waiguru announced her bid for the seat in April this year, months after resigning from her position as Devolution Cabinet Secretary.

Initially, there had been speculation over Waiguru’s political interest with some political analysts surmising that she would run for the Nairobi governorship seat.

Karua had on Wednesday announced that she would run for the seat on a Narc Kenya ticket, resting speculations that her name would be on the presidential ballot in 2017.

The 2013 presidential candidate said that she was better placed to effect change in the county and initiate development projects that would be beneficial to the locals.

Both Waiguru and the current governor, Joseph Ndathi, are set to run for the seat on a Jubilee ticket setting the stage for a grueling nomination process.

Waiguru will be counting on her prominence that came about during her time as the Cabinet Secretary which allowed her to work with county governments, while Karua, who was at one time Gichugu MP, will bet on her tag as a seasoned politician to win the numbers.

@benjaminwafula