- The governor, who hails from Kikuyu-speaking Kirinyaga County, excited the audience in Homabay County.
- Waiguru likened Homabay Governor Gladys Wanga's leadership to a famous Luo proverb.
Image: PCS
Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru made a detour from the usual protocol during her address at the Homa Bay County International Investment Conference today.
Stepping away from the conventional script, she decided to embrace the local Luo language, much to the amusement of her audience.
Before commencing her speech, Governor Waiguru initiated a warm exchange with the crowd, starting by saying 'Opak Ruoth' which loosely translates to Praise God in Dholuo.
Waiguru continued to sprinkle her speech with more Luo phrases, including "ungima" (Are you okay) and "amosou(I greet you)," further endearing herself to the audience.
Waiguru also, while concluding her speech likened Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga's leadership to a famous Luo proverb.
"To my sister, Governor Gladys Wanga, your favour for leadership echoes the famous Luo proverb. Aboti dhako ok leng' (Or “Arung dhako Kileng’) meaning a woman's throw never misses its target," the governor said amid laughter from the audience.
The governor, who hails from Kikuyu-speaking Kirinyaga County, excited the audience in Homa Bay.
In her speech, Waiguru congratulated the Homa Bay governor for organising the International Investment Conference, calling for other female governors to embrace innovation in their respective counties.
"The Homa Bay County International Investment Conference serves as a beacon of progress, not just for Homabay County, but for the entire nation," Waiguru said.
President William Ruto who was also in attendance threw his weight behind women's leadership, specifically for the governor's seat.
Ruto urged Kenyans to vote for women leaders when given a chance.
"If you have a chance to elect a woman governor, don't squander that chance," he said.
Kenya at the moment has seven women out of 47 governors
They are Ann Waiguru ( Kirinyaga), Cecily Mbarire ( Embu), Gladys Wanga ( Homa Bay), Wavinya Ndeti (Machakos), Kawira Mwangaza (Meru) and Susan Kihika ( Nakuru).
This is a small but significant improvement on the results of the 2017 elections when three women were elected as governors.
During his visit to the county, Ruto will examine several active county initiatives.
Among these are the building of a fish market in Homa Bay town, the refurbishment of the piers at Kendu Bay and Homa Bay, and the construction of 110 affordable housing units.
The theme for this year's conference is 'Unlocking the Bay of Endless Potential'.
The conference, according to Governor Wanga, aims to showcase the opportunities in Homa Bay County, attract investors and create jobs for the youth in the county.
The event is expected to run until February 29.