However, the story did not end with the tallying of ballots. Rather, it transformed into a political and legal drama, raising questions about electoral integrity, strategic withdrawals and the resilience of Kirinyaga’s female politicians.
From campaign trail to courtroom
Shortly after the official results, Ngirici announced her intention to challenge the outcome at the Kerugoya High Court. Filing a petition against Waiguru’s election, she alleged that the poll suffered from manipulation and irregularities citing violence, compromised tallying and what she believed was a distorted outcome. With the petition filed on September 8 2022, she signalled to supporters and opponents alike that she was not ready to concede defeat quietly.
The petition itself added a dramatic layer to her campaign. For a woman who once held the seat of Woman Representative in Kirinyaga and had built a base around devolution and women’s empowerment, this was a high‑stakes gamble. It brought to the fore both the frustrations of a closely contested defeat and the operational machinery required to navigate Kenya’s election jurisprudence.
Why withdraw the case?
Then, in early October 2022, the narrative changed. Ngirici citing deep consultation with her supporters and the broader Kenya Kwanza leadership, she applied to formally withdraw the petition. In an October 5 2022 statement made public through her legal team, she said her decision was guided not by a lack of basis but by a commitment to enable uninterrupted service delivery in Kirinyaga. She emphasized that delivering to the people of Kirinyaga is more important to her than political victory.
Judge Richard Mwongo, presiding at Kerugoya High Court, granted her request and allowed seven days for formal motions around the withdrawal. By October 24 the matter had been mentioned and effectively closed.
The move raised many questions. Why would a candidate with relatively strong legal merit withdraw? Was it political bargaining? A calculus of future ambitions? Or recognition of the heavier fight ahead?
For Ngirici, the strategy seemed clear: stepping back from immediate legal confrontation did not mean conceding her place but it meant repositioning.
Strategic repositioning, not retreat
Despite the withdrawal, Ngirici maintained she would serve as a “watchful eye” for the county, holding the administration to account. Her message offered hope for a comeback: “There is still a next time, my people.”
In Kirinyaga politics, the move has been interpreted as both tactical and pragmatic. For one, it avoided prolonging legal uncertainty that could hamper Waiguru’s service delivery. For another, it preserved Ngirici’s brand: a female political heavyweight who is unwilling to abandon her constituency even in loss.
It also re‑aligned her with the Kenya Kwanza coalition’s logic, opening spaces for negotiation and future alignment. By stepping away from immediate confrontation, she retained political capital while preserving flexibility for 2027 or beyond.
What this means for Kirinyaga’s political landscape
Ngirici’s withdrawal had ripple effects. It underscored the tenuous nature of narrow‑margin politics in Kenya’s counties and emphasized service delivery over sustained litigation. For voters in Kirinyaga, it presented a scenario where a defeat did not equate to political extinction.
It also reinforced the role of female leadership in county politics. Ngirici had leveraged devolution, women’s empowerment and local business networks to craft a unique identity. Her willingness to shift strategy from legal battle to oversight revealed an adaptability often lacking in provincial politics.
Meanwhile, Waiguru, now free from the pending petition, continued her second term with fewer legal distractions. For her supporters, the withdrawal meant uninterrupted leadership; for opponents it was a demonstration of political pragmatism.
Looking ahead to 2027: The game is far from over
With the 2027 general election on the horizon, Ngirici’s actions position her for another campaign. The withdrawal did not signal defeat but a reset. She retains her local influence, her constituency’s trust and a narrative of principled withdrawal framing her decision as one of service rather than stubborn litigation.
For Kirinyaga voters, this presents both opportunity and choice. Will the next contest be another match between Ngirici and a fresh contenders like Kamau Murango? For political analysts, Ngirici’s trajectory offers lessons: sometimes the boldest move is not to fight at all costs but to pause, reassess and prepare for another day.
Conclusion
Purity Wangui Ngirici’s 2022 gubernatorial bid did not end with a defeated vote, it entered a different phase: the courtroom and political recalibration. Her petition capture, her withdrawal moment and her public statements reflect a layered story of ambition, restraint and strategy. While the result was not what she sought, her next moves may prove even more decisive. For Kirinyaga residents and Kenyan politics, this narrative demonstrates that in the world of county races, victory is more than just a win, it’s about timing, positioning and staying in the game.
As the county continues to evolve, Ngirici remains a name to watch. The ballot may have closed in 2022, but the next chapter is only starting.