Reprieve for Waiguru as IEBC clears her re-election bid

Kirinyaga County Governor Anne Waiguru can finally heave a sigh of relief after she was cleared Monday by IEBC to run for a second term.

This is despite being listed by the EACC alongside 240 other aspirants as unfit to hold public office over alleged integrity concerns.

"They had attempted to scrap my name off the ballot but I want to tell them that I belong to God," Waiguru said.

She exuded confidence that she will be re-elected and took a swipe at her opponents whom she claimed had attempted to frustrate her bid.

"Those who had schemed evil against me by working hard to see to it that I will not seek re-election are finally put to shame," she said.

The governor was accompanied to the IEBC offices in Kerugoya by her husband, lawyer Kamotho Waiganjo, a section of her executive team members and her supporters.

Her clearance brings to eight the number of candidates who have been cleared by the IEBC to contest in the Kirinyaga governor race.

Others are Charles Kibiru (Jubilee) Peter Kariuki Ireri (ANC) Joseph Ndathi(TSP) Wangui Ngirici (Independent) Comba Ndau (KADU Asili)Bedan Muriithi Kagai(Narc Kenya) andPeter Njuguna Gitau (Safina).

Waiguru exuded confidence that the UDA party will carry the day come August 9 in all county elective seats.

She said she will market her administration's track record as well as the plans she has for the county for the next five years.

Waiguru listed water and road projects as part of the agenda she shall be marketing to the people.

"We have achieved a lot in the course of the term. We have revolutionized the heath sector by establishing health facilities."

The governor unveiled a new running mate days after she announced education CEC James Kinyua as her preferred deputy.

She settled on former county speaker David Githanda who will now deputize her in the August 9 polls.

Her choice of Githanda is seemingly aimed at charming the vote-rich Mwea constituency where some of her competitors have also picked their running mates from. 

Waiguru said Mutugi, who also comes from Mwea constituency, opted to step down in favour of Githanda.

The county chief said she will lead an aggressive yet peaceful campaign devoid of insults and violence.