A political showdown is looming in Kirinyaga this Sunday as Governor Anne Waiguru and Woman Rep Wangui Ngirici trade barbs and threats ahead of a Church event where DP William Ruto is expected in Kianyaga, Gichugu.
The rivalry between Wangui and Waiguru escalated when the latter joined Ruto’s UDA party and moved to eject Wangui from the party.
And after initially indicating that she would be taking a step back after Waiguru appeared to have an upper hand in UDA, Wangui has now announced that she would be attending the Church event and sent out digital invites.
Ruto is in Gichugu courtesy of former area MP Njogu Barua who recently decamped from Mwangi Kiunjuri’s The Service Party (TSP) and joined UDA but the war between Wangui and Waiguru has taken the centre stage.
But it was the declaration by her husband Andrew Ngirici no politics will be spoken at the church service in Kianyaga that has set the tone and stage for a serious confrontation.
Wangui’s flamboyant husband and self declared “general” singled out Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua and Malindi woman Rep Aisha Jumwa as the two people who will not be allowed to speak.
In another twist Waiguru released an intineraly of the “DP’s tour of Kirinyaga” that includes several stop overs – namely Kianyaga, Kutus, Kerugoya, Kagumo, Kagio and Wang’uru.
Waiguru attacked Wangui telling her off that UDA is not her personal property as the two women dug in in what is turning out to be a vicious cat fight.
Wangui is seeking to oust Waiguru from the Kirinyaga gubernatorial seat, while Waiguru is working tooth and nail to preserve the seat.
Waiguru’s move to ditch Jubilee Party for Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance was informed by what she described as “listening to the ground” where she says she was seeking views from the people on the political party she should use for her re-election.
Observers however say her move was more aimed at self preservation and was based on assumption that UDA had majority of followers and that she would retain her seat by jumping ship and displacing Wangui.
And when Wangui annouced that she would be taking a back seat to re-strategise likening politics to a game of chess it appeared like a confirmation of sorts that her space in UDA had been taken by Waiguru.
Others however say the supporters of UDA are many by virtue of Wangui’s handwork over the years and that they would follow her wherever she goes.
And the entry of Interior PS Karanja Kibicho in the scene has complicated matters more. Kibicho has found a cordial working relationship with Wangui and she was among the first people who came to his defense when he came under attack from Waiguru.
In the meantime, Kirinyaga Senator Charles Kibiru has formerly entered the gubernatorial race and is hoping to collect the spoils and win the race.
