Mudavadi's ANC courts Waiguru as 2022 politics hots up

The presence of Amani National Congress deputy party leader Ayub Savula at EACC during the questioning of Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has raised eyebrows.

Savula said summonses issued to Waiguru were politically motivated, adding ANC will support her.

He said ANC is considering recruiting Waiguru to the party to sell it in the Mt Kenya region.

“We know it is because of politics. We know that in Central it is very difficult to sell a certain political party and a certain individual who is contesting for the presidency. As ANC, we are going to stand in solidarity with her and we are courting her to be one of our political kingpins in Central Kenya,” Savula said.

Waiguru did not issue a response to Savula's remarks, but only smiled.

Waiguru was questioned by the Anti-graft agency over a Sh52 million pending bill in her county.

She had received summonses to appear before the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission over the claims.

The governor had earlier claimed the move to probe the issue was political.

This comes at the time when Waiguru has suggested it will not be a walk in the park for her to defend her seat in 2022 under the Jubilee Party.

She said that unless the ruling party puts its house in order ahead of 2022, it will be hard to sell it.

Waiguru has vowed that she will not be stopped on the political path she will choose in consultations with electorates in her county.

The governor claimed that recent hints she made regarding her future political direction triggered EACC summons.

Recently, ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi said that it is possible that he will choose a running mate from the Mt Kenya region.

Mudavadi said Mt Kenya people are experienced politically given the number of times they have produced presidents for our country.

“Kuna umaarufu mwingi katika eneo hilo. Ni watu wanapenda biashara na wanaweza kuchangia sana katika uchumi na taifa letu. Kwa hivyo sikatai. Kuna uwezekano,” he said on Inooro FM.

This translates to, “There’s a lot of experience in the region. They are people who love doing business and can contribute a lot to the economy and the nation. So, I’m not saying no, there’s a possibility.”

Also, Deputy President William Ruto and ODM party leader Raila Odinga are still looking for suitable individuals to pick as running mates.

Waiguru has however not commented on the same, and whether she will be seeking to defend her gubernatorial seat or be a running mate is a matter of wait and see.

Edited by CM