Kirinyaga County Governor Anne Waiguru when she appeared before before the Senate Education Committee at Bunge Tower on May 7, 2026.
Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has dismissed claims that she apologised to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, saying her remarks had been misinterpreted and politicised by the opposition.
Speaking during a women empowerment programme in Kwale County, Ms Waiguru said she had only expressed regret if some Kenyans felt aggrieved by government actions, insisting she never directed an apology to any individual.
“I never apologised to any individual. I only said that if there are people who felt wronged by the government, then we regret that feeling. That should not be twisted into politics,” Ms Waiguru said.
Then deputy president Rigathi Gachagua greets Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru on arrival at Our Lady of Sorrows Baricho Catholic Church for the celebrations of 100 years of Faith and Evangelisation for the Church.
“I remain firmly in UDA and firmly in government. We are focused on supporting President William Ruto because he is developing Kenya equally without discrimination,” she said.
The governor defended the Kenya Kwanza administration, saying President Ruto had demonstrated commitment to equitable development across the country and asked Kenyans to remain patient as the government rolls out its development agenda.
“The President has a plan for this country and we can already see development reaching every part of Kenya at a good pace. Progress takes time and wananchi should give him the opportunity to fully implement his agenda,” Ms Waiguru added.
She urged Kenyans to hand UDA a first-round victory in the 2027 General Election. Ms Waiguru joined leaders from the Coast region in the drumming up support for the President’s re-election.
Ms Waiguru also campaigned for the re-election of Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani, praising her development record in the county.
Governor Achani said Ms Waiguru had distinguished herself in national leadership positions and was ready for a bigger role in future.
At the same event, Mining and Blue Economy Cabinet Secretary Hassan Ali Joho reiterated support for President Ruto, but only on condition that a political pact is signed between them.
Mr Joho said the pact would guarantee that once President Ruto completes his two constitutional terms, he will back the Coast region to produce a presidential candidate in 2032.
He emphasised that the agreement he seeks is one of succession, underscoring his ambition to vie for the presidency and urging coastal residents to rally behind him.
Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Hassan Ali Joho when he appeared before the National Assembly Delegated Legislation Committee at Bunge Tower on April 14, 2026.
“We will support President Ruto in the next general election, but after his second term it is mandatory that we, as the Coast people, are supported so that we too can have a President. The Coast has long supported our late party leader Raila Odinga, giving him overwhelming votes. We will give President Ruto those votes,” said Mr Joho.
The Coast region has been Mr Odinga’s political stronghold, garnering over 60 per cent of votes in every election cycle.
The CS stressed that the Coast has benefited from being part of government and must continue working with Kenya Kwanza. He cautioned coastal residents against embracing opposition politics led by Mr Gachagua and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, accusing them of misleading the region.
“When they were in government, what did they do for us? Why do they now call us cousins? We are aligned with President Ruto. After President Ruto, the presidency comes to the Coast. We are not following them blindly; we are following with a plan. Let us support the President and make agreements to settle political debts,” he said.
ODM and UDA leaders vowed to block the opposition from encroaching on ODM’s traditional stronghold.
Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir echoed the sentiment, saying for the first time ODM and UDA politicians had agreed to unite for the sake of ensuring President Ruto’s re-election.
Likoni MP Mishi Mboko added that President Ruto had gained a strong mobiliser in the Coast after appointing Mr Joho to his Cabinet, noting that the move had shifted political dynamics in the region.
Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot urged Kwale residents to continue supporting the government, saying the Kenya Kwanza administration was committed to equitable development across all regions.
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