Former Devolution Cabinet Secretary (CS) Anne Waiguru’s move to shelve her ambition for the Nairobi gubernatorial seat in favour of Kirinyaga top seat has elicited mixed reactions to why she decided to shelve her plans for the coveted Nairobi seat.
According to Peter Ngure, a Kiambu based analyst, Waiguru had a thin chance of being elected as Nairobi governor in 2017.
The analyst observes that very few Nairobians would have voted for her in 2017 especially after the National Youth Service (NYS) scandal that hit the Devolution Ministry when she was at the helm.
The analyst further observes that Waiguru could have not matched the level of politics played in Nairobi.
“Nairobi politics is played different, very few people show ambition, very few make it through the nominations and few get elected,” he said during an interview on Monday.
The analyst also notes that with many contestants interested in the Nairobi seat and seeking the endorsement of Uhuru Kenyatta it would have been difficult for Waiguru to stand out.
Mr Ngure said that the endorsement of Water Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa by a section of Jubilee politicians made Waiguru to think twice about her bid for the seat.
He said that President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto already had their preferred candidate for the Nairobi seat.
“Waiguru was counting on Uhuru Kenyatta’s endorsement for the seat which would not have happened at any circumstance,” he added.
The analyst however observes that Waiguru might have a chance for the Kirinyaga seat.
“In Kirinyaga she (Waiguru) might count on the support of women and youth to emerge victories in the gubernatorial seat,” said the analyst.
According to the analyst, the former CS will face stiff competition in her bid for the for Kirinyaga top seat
Meanwhile, a section of Kiambu Town women have supported Waiguru’s bid for the Kirinyaga seat.
“We are happy that Waiguru has decided to join politics, we urge Kirinyaga locals to support her bid,” said Sheila Kimani, a Kiambu town resident.
The women said that Waiguru’s candidature for the Kirinyaga seat will encourage other women to seek top seats.
Waiguru launched her Kirinyaga bid on Saturday and will be seeking the endorsement of Jubilee Party (JP) to square it out with incumbent governor Joseph Ndathi and others who have declared interest in the seat.
The former Devolution CS will be banking on women and youth support to clinch the Kirinyaga top seat in next year's polls.