Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has declared her interest in becoming President William Ruto’s running mate in the 2027 General Election, citing his work ethic and what she described as the government’s record in economic growth, agriculture, healthcare and infrastructure development.
Speaking during a Sunday Live interview on Citizen TV, Waiguru said she was interested in serving as Deputy President, arguing that her experience in government had given her an opportunity to assess Ruto’s leadership and commitment to development.
“Well, I have expressed my interest in serving as a deputy president in this country,” Waiguru said.
The governor defended her position by describing the Kenya Kwanza administration as a government she had helped campaign for and bring to power, adding that her continued service under Ruto’s leadership informed her assessment of his performance.
“Because one, first of all, this is our government. We’re the ones who campaigned for it, right? William Ruto is the president, and I serve under his administration,” she said.
Waiguru, who has served in senior government positions under different administrations, said her experience working with former presidents Mwai Kibaki and Uhuru Kenyatta had shaped her view of Ruto’s leadership style.
“Out of the presidents that we have had, and you know, I’ve been in the civil service for a very long time, I have never seen a president work as hard as William Ruto,” she added.
She reiterated her assessment by comparing her experience under the three administrations, maintaining that Ruto had demonstrated a strong commitment to implementing his development agenda despite facing political criticism during his first years in office.
“I have had the privilege to work with Kibaki, I’ve had the privilege to work with President Kenyatta, and now I have worked under William Ruto. I have never seen a president more dedicated to working for his country like he is,” Waiguru said.
Waiguru Cites Economic Growth and Agriculture Reforms
In defending her support for Ruto, Waiguru pointed to economic indicators, claiming that Kenya’s gross domestic product had grown from approximately Sh13 trillion to Sh19 trillion under the administration.
She also cited foreign exchange reserves and inflation management as areas in which the government had made progress, while acknowledging that concerns about the cost of living remained among Kenyans.
Kenya’s economic performance is expected to remain a central issue in the political debate ahead of the 2027 elections, with voters likely to assess the administration’s record alongside the cost of essential goods, employment opportunities and household incomes.
Waiguru also highlighted agricultural reforms, particularly in the coffee and sugar sectors, arguing that changes in farmer payments and the management of agricultural institutions demonstrated the impact of government interventions.
In Kirinyaga County, she said coffee farmers had begun receiving higher payments, with some factories paying between Sh140 and Sh150 per kilogramme compared with approximately Sh50 previously.
The governor presented the improved payments as an indication of progress in efforts to strengthen the coffee value chain and improve returns for farmers.
She also cited reforms in the sugar industry, including the leasing of state-owned factories, debt-related interventions and bonus payments to farmers supplying sugar mills.
In January 2025, President Ruto launched a Sh150 million bonus programme for farmers supplying Mumias Sugar Factory, as part of measures intended to support sugarcane growers and improve the sector’s performance.
Waiguru acknowledged that challenges remained in the agricultural sector but argued that the resumption of factory operations and improved payments to farmers represented progress.
Healthcare and Infrastructure Feature in Waiguru’s Defence of Ruto
The Kirinyaga governor also defended the government’s healthcare financing reforms, highlighting the rollout of the Social Health Authority (SHA), which replaced the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).
She cited the expansion of healthcare coverage, claiming that more than 30 million people had been covered under the new system.
The SHA rollout has been a major component of the administration’s healthcare agenda, although its implementation has attracted public debate over registration, access to services, claims processing and the experiences of patients and healthcare providers.
On infrastructure, Waiguru praised the government’s road construction programme, arguing that completed projects offered visible evidence of development.
Among the major transport initiatives she cited was the Rironi–Nakuru–Mau Summit road expansion, alongside the administration’s longer-term targets for highway dualling and road construction.
The government has outlined plans targeting the dualling of 2,500 kilometres of highways and the tarmacking of 28,000 kilometres of roads over a ten-year period.
Waiguru maintained that Ruto’s development record should be considered alongside the political controversies and public concerns surrounding his administration.
“I’m not saying people should overlook the political issues or concerns they may have with the government. However, in terms of tangible development projects, he has performed well,” she said.