Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has become the latest Jubilee Party member to call it quits with Deputy President William Ruto ahead of his 2022 presidential bid.
Speaking at Kenol in Muranga county on Friday, Waiguru declared support for the handshake narrative led by President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Premier Raila Odinga.
She spoke in the company of fellow women leaders under the 'Embrace' initiative.
Waiguru based her decision on Ruto's engagement in early politicking, in defiance to Uhuru's calls for political calm, stressing on the need for political leaders to shun politicking for now.
The county boss further hit out at Mt Kenya politicians who have been advancing Ruto's agenda in the area, warning him against expecting automatic backing in 2022.
“Even when the Deputy President was coming for negotiations (with President Kenyatta), he came with conditions, we shall also come with our conditions to see who to support in 2022," she was quoted by the Nation.
Waiguru also declared support for the looming referendum push, which enjoys the backing of both Uhuru and Raila, saying that its what the nation should be discussing now.
“We should be discussing the referendum in this country and not 2022 politics because the region should be mindful of its stake after the expiry of President Kenyatta’s term," she noted.
The former Devolution CS and Raila were initially sworn enemies, with Waiguru at some point moving to court to sue the former Premier over defamation, after he implicated her in the National Youth Service (NYS) saga.
Raila and Uhuru who reached a truce early last year are both in support of the constitutional changes seeking to expand the executive arm of government.