With the 2027 General Election just around the corner, Governor Anne Waiguru has announced she will contest for the Senate as her final term as Governor of Kirinyaga County comes to a close. The declaration shifts what had been political speculation into a live campaign narrative but it also raises fresh questions about political support, party strength and voter perception.
A PARTY SHIFT THAT STILL MATTERS
Waiguru is a senior member of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA). The party is associated with President William Ruto and the Kenya Kwanza coalition. She formally joined UDA ahead of her successful governor re-election bid and has since positioned herself as a key Mt Kenya voice backing the president’s agenda.
But UDA’s foothold in Kirinyaga and the wider Mt Kenya region has been volatile. While Waiguru often speaks of the party “regaining ground” and consolidating grassroots support, the political landscape tells a more complex story.
Opposition forces and alternative political blocs remain active in the region and rallies by opposition groups including a United Opposition tour through Kirinyaga suggest that party loyalty is far from assured.
PARTY POPULARITY: PERCEPTION VS REALITY
Internally, Waiguru has worked to strengthen UDA’s structure in Kirinyaga. She rallied party supporters during grassroots elections urging members to participate and build an internal base ahead of 2027.
But political analysts note that UDA’s presence in Mt Kenya has been contested especially after high-profile local disagreements and defections. Some Kirinyaga residents and leaders are openly critical of the ruling party’s direction or leadership style even as Waiguru insists the party remains the best vehicle for county interests.
Furthermore, tensions between UDA loyalists and other political factions especially those aligned with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua have spilled into public debate with accusations of betrayal and regional division shaping narratives on both sides.
HOW PARTY SUPPORT COULD SHAPE HER SENATE CAMPAIGN
• Debate Over Party Loyalty: By remaining firmly within UDA, Waiguru ties her Senate bid to the fortunes of the ruling party. If UDA fails to maintain or grow support in Kirinyaga, this could be a liability especially against rivals appealing to voters disillusioned with the national government.
• Internal Party Divisions: Even within UDA, local leadership disputes and competition for influence may blunt unified campaigning. Divergent interests among county leaders could weaken her ability to mobilize full support.
• Opposition Momentum: Opposition movements have been active in Mt Kenya with organized tours and rallies aimed at appealing to voters across the region. This suggests a competitive environment where party popularity is actively in flux.
BEYOND PARTY: PERCEPTION OF LEADERSHIP
Critics of Waiguru argue that her alignment with the ruling party has sometimes overshadowed her individual governance record. Some opponents question whether her focus on national party politics distracts from local issues or whether her gubernatorial achievements will translate into effective legislative leadership. Others point to the fierce political debates and occasional public backlash over previous disagreements with rival politicians.
Supporters, meanwhile, say her party alignment gives Kirinyaga an advantage in accessing national resources and amplifying county interests in the Senate.
A RACE SHAPED BY MORE THAN DEVELOPMENT
As Waiguru gears up for the Senate race, her party affiliation may prove both strength and vulnerability. While her prominence within UDA gives her access to national networks and influence, the party’s contested popularity in Kirinyaga means her campaign likely won’t be a straightforward endorsement of status quo politics.
For voters, the Senate contest won’t only be about development projects or institutional knowledge, it will also be about trust, party identity and how closely a candidate’s political alignment matches their expectations for local and national leadership.
With the ballots approaching, Kirinyaga is poised for a competitive and deeply contested political moment.