Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has announced that she has decamped from Jubilee Party to Ruto’s UDA party, bringing to end months of speculation.

“After extensive consultation with the Kirinyaga people, I have officially decamped to the hustler nation. 2022 Chama ni UDA, Form ni Hustler, Mpango ni BottomUp.!” Waiguru announced through a statement shared on her social media platforms.

Waiguru jumped ship together with 23 Members of the Kirinyaga County Assembly (MCAs).

Speculations of Waiguru joining UDA have been rife with political Pundits fronting her as a potential running mate for Deputy President William Ruto.

In a previous interview last month, Waiguru was categorical in citing that she is ready to be the next Deputy President.

“I am president material, but for now, I am open to being the Deputy President” she said.

Ruto enjoyed a warm reception in Kirinyaga County during the just concluded Mashujaa Day celebrations.

Waiguru/Ruto Candidacy

A Waiguru /Ruto candidacy for the 2022 presidential race is likely by all means. Having Waiguru onboard gives Ruto Mount Kenya support and the gender card comes into play.

Despite the NYS graft scandals that tainted her tenure as Devolution Cabinet Secretary in President Kenyatta’s first term, Waiguru has a track record for development and leadership and is among the only three female governors elected to office in 2021.

Martha Karua for Odinga?

With Waiguru now in Ruto’s camp, the other likely female candidate that Odinga could pick as a running mate, if at all, is Narc leader Martha Karua. Political analysts have also cited this as a likely duo with their supporters going ahead to coin a slogan for the two already; Rarua.

Gender Score

The idea of possibly having a woman ascend to the highest political seat in the history of the country is also a very much welcome move that is ripe coming at a time when Kenya is making notable strides in advancing female empowerment in the political spaces in the quest towards achieving the two-thirds gender rule and any front runner in the 2022 presidential election who gets a powerful woman on board for a running mate is bound to get an edge.