For nearly a decade, the fight for Kirinyaga's top seat has been dominated by women — Governor Anne Waiguru and her political rivals, Martha Karua and Wangui Ngirici. But that is about to change.

As the 2027 race for the seat takes shape, four aspirants have declared interest in succeeding Ms Waiguru, who is completing her second and final term.

In 2022, Ms Waiguru and Ms Ngirici were engaged in such a vicious battle that the latter, claiming she had been unfairly edged out in the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party primaries, contested as an independent candidate.

Ms Ngirici says that after building UDA's ground networks in the county, the last thing she expected was betrayal — after being asked to step down for Ms Waiguru and vie instead for the Mwea Constituency seat. She bolted and contested for governor anyway, coming second.

"William Ruto betrayed me, and I am not afraid to say so. But that now is water under the bridge. This time round, I am ready for them," the former Kirinyaga Woman Representative said in an interview.

Others who have declared interest include Senator Kamau Murango, associated with the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP); Kirinyaga Central MP Gitari Gachoki (UDA); and Ms Waiguru's deputy during her first term, Peter Ndambiri, who is contesting on Martha Karua's People's Liberation Party (PLP) ticket.

Already, battle lines are drawn as each of the aspirants seeks to convince the county's 376,001 voters that they are best suited to take over from Ms Waiguru.

Read: Purity Ngirici insists she quit Kenya Seed board

Ol Kalou effect

While the aspirants have hit the ground running, activating political networks across the county with promises of improving residents' lives, the emerging pattern is that most have aligned themselves with the Opposition and DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua.

DCP's victory in Ol Kalou has sparked a political wave across the Mt Kenya region, and leaders there have tried various tactics to respond to it, including a recent remark from Ms Waiguru over what she called the "Gachagua impeachment mistake."

"I was not part of the process, because it was carried out by Parliament," Ms Waiguru is reported to have said.

So far, only Mr Gachoki has expressed interest in vying on a Kenya Kwanza-allied party ticket. Ms Ngirici says she is considering defecting to DCP, where she would battle for the ticket with Mr Murango.

Kirinyaga County has a population of 610,411, spread across four constituencies — Mwea, Kirinyaga Central, Ndia and Gichugu. According to the latest Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) register, Mwea has the highest number of registered voters at 131,714, followed by Gichugu (92,495), Kirinyaga Central (82,049) and Ndia (69,743).

The county's main economic activity is agriculture. It is home to Kenya's largest rice irrigation scheme, in Mwea Constituency, which produces over 80 per cent of the rice consumed in the country.

According to political analyst Prof Gitile Naituli, the current dominance of the opposition in the Mt Kenya region has diminished the fortunes of Kenya Kwanza-allied parties.

"I don't see any chances for the government-allied parties, and especially UDA. The pattern is that the opposition will carry the day, and in particular DCP, whose wave is huge," said Prof Naituli, who is also a lecturer at the Multimedia University of Kenya.

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Murango: I'll not rely on DCP wave

Mr Murango says he is best suited to take over from Ms Waiguru, and that he will not rely solely on the DCP wave — he has also demonstrated capability in his current role, based on recent Infotrak polls that ranked him top.

"I am the best-performing Senator in the country, and I intend to replicate this as governor. This record speaks for itself, and I know the people of Kirinyaga will go for a performer," he said.

Mr Murango has already identified his county team: Woman Representative Njeri Maina, who will be defending her seat, and Baragwi Ward MCA David Mathenge, who wants to succeed Mr Murango at the Senate.

He said that, should he become the county's next chief, he will focus on improving the health sector, which he claims is underperforming. "Hospitals have no essential drugs, while we don't have a functional Intensive Care Unit (ICU)," he said.

He added that, over the years, farmers at the Mwea Irrigation Scheme have been incurring heavy losses due to the invasion of their rice farms by voracious snails, as well as a poor road network.

Ngirici: I spend my own money to help others

Ms Ngirici, vowing that she will not entertain political betrayal this time round, says she is being careful in choosing the party on which she will contest. She believes that once she settles on a party ticket, Kirinyaga residents will make their decision based on her track record.

"Our people will be electing a leader, not a political party. I am confident the residents will give me an opportunity to serve them in another capacity," said Ms Ngirici, who is known for her aggressive campaigns and philanthropic work.

"I have been using my resources to feed the poor and construct houses for them. I also spend my own money to upgrade access roads, and I believe the residents will choose a leader who has their interests at heart," she said.

"I will employ more health workers and reinstate the 188 who were sacked by the current regime for demanding that their working conditions be improved," she said.

"I will also focus on cottage industries to create employment for our youths, and establish a rehabilitation centre for young people whose lives have been ruined by drugs," said Ms Ngirici, who feels she has an advantage over her rivals, having been born in Gichugu, raised in Mwea and married in Kirinyaga Central.

Read: How Gichugu votes saved Waiguru from Ngirici’s onslaught

Gachoki: Waiguru has done well

Mr Gachoki, who is currently serving his third term in Parliament, plans to run on a UDA ticket. He believes he is ready to brave the Opposition wave, and is determined to succeed Governor Waiguru, whom he describes as hardworking.

"She has done well, and I want to take over from her so that I can take our county forward. Our people should know that the moment we let county leadership fall into the wrong hands, the devolved unit is likely to collapse," he said.

He promised to ensure that the multi-million-shilling Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kemri) hospital project under construction in Mwea Constituency is completed.

Mr Ndambiri says that since 2022, when his five-year term as deputy governor ended, he has maintained his political networks and is ready to face off with his rivals.

"Over the past two years, I have criss-crossed the county activating my groups in all polling stations, and I am fully prepared. I'll give my competitors a run for their money," he said.

"Agriculture is the backbone of this county, and I will ensure agro-industries are built to add value to our produce, create jobs and improve the economy," he said.

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