The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) on Monday cleared Kirinyaga County Governor Anne Waiguru to run for a second term in office on a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party ticket.

Waiguru, who will be competing against seven other gubernatorial contestants, presented her nomination papers to the IEBC at Kerugoya.

“They had attempted to block my bid to defend the seat. Their evil schemes have been defeated, I want to tell them that I belong to God,” Waiguru said.

While addressing jubilant residents after receiving her clearance certificate, the governor said that she was grateful to God for having made the clearance process a smooth one despite what she termed as conspiracies that had been harbored to deny her the opportunity.

She said that she was confident she was going to get the gubernatorial seat while the UDA party is also going to get a definite win in all other seats including the presidency.

Waiguru said that her administration has been implementing many life-changing programs in various sectors such as health, roads, water, and another term will ensure the successful completion of the continuing and pending projects.

At the same time, the governor introduced her new running mate, David Githanda, whom she said hails from Mwea constituency, noting that James Kinyua, whom she had earlier nominated as her running mate, had decided to step down for Githanda.

Githanda is a lawyer by profession and served as a former speaker to Kirinyaga County Assembly.

Waiguru said that she was now set to start thorough campaigns across the county and called upon all contenders to carry out peaceful campaigns devoid of any violence.

Other Kirinyaga gubernatorial candidates include Jubilee party’s Charles Kibiru, Patrick Ireri (ANC), Wangui Ngirici (independent), Chomba Ndau (KADU-Asili), Bedan Kagai (Narc-Kenya), Peter  Gitau (Safina) and Josheph Ndathi (TSP).