Political scientist Dr Obuya Bagaka now says that the ongoing political dalliance between ODM leader Raila Odinga and Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru is a strategic game.
According to the commentator, Waiguru is with the former Prime Minister more for her own good, including a bid to cement her survival in the political arena past the 2022 polls.
He says that the governor might have detected that Raila will be in the next government, and is out to endear herself, to avoid a revival of the National Youth Service (NYS) scandal.
He adds that the county boss is also out to be seen to be working with and in support of the President, especially by the Mt Kenya region, as she seeks elevation in Mt Kenya politics.
“Being friends with Raila, who is working with the President, puts her at a lofty position as a defender of the interests of the Kikuyu community and, therefore, when it comes to (power) negations, she will definitely be on the high table in 2022,” he told the People Daily on Tuesday.
However, according to National Assembly Minority Leader John Mbadi, the Waiguru-Raila closeness is all about the handshake.
“Waiguru is a supporter of Uhuru and she has never wasted time to say it. And with Raila working with Uhuru, she is working with the former Prime Minister as part of that commitment,” the ODM National Chair said.
However, Obuya says that even Waiguru's appearance in Kibra last Sunday to campaign for ODM candidate Imran Okoth was strategic.
In 2015, Waiguru who was then the Devolution CS fell out with Raila over the Sh1.6 billion NYS saga which saw her retaliate by suing Raila but has since dropped the case in the spirit of the handshake.