FORMER Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru yesterday gave the clearest indication yet that she could face-off with Evans Kidero for the 2017 Nairobi governor race.
In readiness for what is likely to be her debut in politics, Waiguru has planned a series of grassroots meetings throughout Nairobi, starting next Sunday, “to listen to the plight of women” and explain her agenda.
The Sunday meeting will be held in Embakasi Central constituency, where the former CS is scheduled to address women’s and youth groups on what sources say will be the beginning of her political journey.
Details of her political plans emerged yesterday during a consultative meeting she held with women’s groups drawn from all the 17 constituencies of Nairobi at Ufungamano House.
The choice of Ufungamano House as the starting point of Waiguru’s political journey is significant. The House has a rich history, as it was the spiritual home for the pro-reform movements of the 1990s in the so-called Second Liberation that sought an end to Kanu’s autocratic regime.
The women urged Waiguru, who resigned from the Cabinet last November under a hail of corruption allegations, to join politics and complete the projects she initiated at the National Youth Service.
“We have been betrayed by all the women we elected in 2013. We have been abandoned. We want you to stand up and defend the Kenyan woman from the marauding male politic elite,” Laura Ongwae told Waiguru.
“We do not have a strong woman leader since you left the government. All those we elected, like the Nairobi Woman representative, have gone to sleep. You must come out and save us.”
When she rose to speak, Waiguru asked for time to “pray and consult”, after which she will summon another meeting to announce the way forward.
“I have heard your requests. We are all women and when such things come up it is natural for us to take time off to pray to seek God's guidance.”
She told the gathering of about 200 women, “I am more than ready” to work with them and the youth to “alleviate your suffering” as she did at NYS.
Waiguru told the gathering she was motivated because she believes women will play a big role in determining the political course for the country starting 2017 into the future.
“But allow me to consult . . . talk to one or two people here and there, then we shall plan another meeting and announce the way forward.”
Waiguru's latest move comes three weeks after she declared “I am not a politician”, during a One on One programme interview with Hussein Mohamed on Citizen TV in early January.
“What about in future?” Hussein asked.
“I don't know. But who knows about the future," she replied.