Waiguru signals Ruto-Gachagua truce, eyes deputy president seat
By Bancy Lole, April 1, 2026President William Ruto and his former deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, could soon parley if Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru’s political prediction is anything to go by or materialises.
This comes even as she openly positions herself for the country’s second-highest office in the 2027 showdown.
As leaders jostle for influence ahead of the 2027 General Election, the region is expected to remain a decisive battleground in the race for State House, presenting Ruto with a serious headache if to reward the region, maintain Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and risk irking the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) broad-based sympathisers.
Speaking to residents in Ngariama in Gichugu constituency, Kirinyaga, on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, Waiguru urged the people of Mt Kenya to embrace pragmatic politics, insisting that alliances in Kenya are driven by interests rather than emotion.
“Politics is about interests, not a love affair,” Waiguru said, in remarks that appeared aimed at cooling the growing anti-government mood in parts of the region.
Her comments come amid rising political realignments in Mt Kenya, where Gachagua has emerged as a key opposition figure against Ruto after their fallout as the Democracy for the Citizens (DCP) chief with other opposition figures strategising on making him a one-term president.
Moreover, recent reports have also captured Waiguru publicly suggesting that Gachagua could still seek dialogue with Ruto, reinforcing speculation of a possible future handshake.
The handshake
Waiguru drew parallels with Kenya’s political history, reminding residents that major leaders who once clashed later found common ground.
“Anything can happen. We saw Raila Odinga have a handshake with Uhuru Kenyatta and later with Ruto. So why can’t Gachagua also have a handshake with Ruto in future?” she posed.
In what appeared to be a direct message to Mt Kenya voters, the governor warned against allowing political emotions to cloud strategic decisions.
“Our votes alone cannot make Ruto president, and neither can we have a Kikuyu presidential candidate alone. We need other communities just as they need us,” she said.
She further argued that the region must align itself with the winning team in order to secure development benefits and maintain influence within government.
“We need to remain where there is gain. If we isolate ourselves, it is the Mt Kenya people who will suffer most,” she added.
The governor also took issue with recent remarks by Gachagua for urging Kirinyaga residents to reserve their cheers for local leaders instead of the president during his visits.
Gachagua-Waiguru tiff
Waiguru suggested that such statements could, in fact, signal behind-the-scenes political calculations.
“Why would he say that? That itself is a clear sign that a handshake can happen in future,” she said.
Her remarks mirror recent media reports in which she claimed Gachagua had been sending emissaries to seek talks with the president, saying Kenyan politics often turns rivals into allies.
In perhaps her strongest political declaration yet, Waiguru openly affirmed her ambition for the deputy presidency, saying she intends to remain at the bargaining table for the sake of Kirinyaga and the wider Mt Kenya region.
“I will remain in government, and at the bargaining table I am there, holding it for the people of Kirinyaga and Mt Kenya,” she said.
“Wouldn’t you be happy if your daughter got a higher position?”