ODM Director of Communications Philip Etale has defended Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru following criticism after a live TV interview on Tuesday night.
Waiguru was hosted on News Night segment on Citizen TV where she discussed various issues including; the recent meeting between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Mt Kenya leaders, 2022 succession politics, and the Building Bridges Initiative.
However, her remarks didn't not auger well with some leaders such as Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria and renowned blogger Dennis Itumbi who took to social media to criticise her.
However, Etale defended the county boss saying she made sober sentiments, and accused the duo of hitting out at her since she was not allied to Inua Mama group which supports Deputy President William Ruto's 2022 presidential bid.
"I watched and listened to Gvn Anne Waiguru. She spoke sense, much of which Tangatanga adherents and apologists don't want to hear. But alas, if she was INUAING dada, my friends Moses Kuria and Dennis Itumbi would be heaping mountains of praises on her," he tweeted on Wednesday.
In a Facebook post, Kuria criticised Waiguru's sentiments on challenges facing Mt Kenya residents saying she was not in touch with what was happening on the ground.
"Dear Mrs Anne Mumbi Waiguru-Kamotho. Contrary to what you said on Citizen TV tonight, Mt Kenya grievances are real. The people are yearning for development. The once thriving economy is in tatters. Our cash crops including Kirinyaga rice have collapsed. There is a water shortage in all our 10 counties.
"The youth have no jobs. Milk farmers are getting 17 shillings per litre because unscrupulous Kenyan companies are flooding the market with milk they have bought for Sh10 per litre in Uganda.
"The East African Protocol is being used to finish off our eggs, poultry and milk farmers after subjecting them to unfair competition from Uganda. When you have time let's arrange I take you on a one day tour of Kirinyaga county you see for yourself," the MP posted.
On his part, Itumbi poured cold water on Waiguru's explanation on why she supported Imran Okoth of ODM on the just concluded Kibra parliamentary by-election.
"Hahaaa Waihiga Mwaura, my Governor Anne Waiguru says she chose to support Imran over Mariga because of Raila Odinga and President Uhuru. But the President in Sagana was clear that the Jubilee party he belongs to had a candidate who lost. Eeeh OK," he tweeted.