Former Kirinyaga Woman Representative Purity Wangui Ngirici has officially joined the growing “One Term” political movement, declaring her intention to contest the Kirinyaga gubernatorial seat in the 2027 General Election on an opposition ticket.
Speaking to residents in Kanjai, Ndia Constituency, Ngirici made it clear that her next political move will align firmly with opposition forces.
She said she is open to joining parties such as Democratic Congress Party (DCP), People’s Liberation Party (PLP), Jubilee Party, or Democratic Party (DP), provided they remain outside the government.
“I will join any of those so long as it is in the opposition,” she told the crowd, signalling a decisive shift from her previous alignment with President William Ruto’s camp.
Ngirici emphasised that Kirinyaga voters will not be dictated to politically, insisting that leadership choices must reflect the will of the people.
She also took aim at leaders she accused of seeking support indirectly through political alliances rather than facing voters head-on.
“Some people should stop asking for votes while hiding behind other leaders. I will ask for the governor seat in 2027, and I will not be behind anybody,” she said.
Her announcement sets the stage for a rematch with incumbent Governor Anne Waiguru, who narrowly defeated her in the 2022 gubernatorial race.
Waiguru secured 113,088 votes, while Ngirici, running as an independent candidate, garnered 105,677 votes in one of the county’s closest contests.
Ngirici noted that her political direction will ultimately be guided by the voices of Kirinyaga residents, positioning herself as a candidate driven by grassroots sentiment.
Kirinyaga County is increasingly emerging as a political battleground ahead of 2027, with shifting alliances and rising rivalries reflecting broader dynamics within the Mt. Kenya region.
This week, on April 29, 2026, President Ruto and Deputy President Kithure Kindiki hosted a delegation of Kirinyaga grassroots leaders at State House to discuss development priorities, including agriculture – particularly coffee, tea, and dairy – and infrastructure expansion.
At the same time, local political tensions continue to simmer. Governor Waiguru has been linked to ongoing power struggles within national politics, including alleged manoeuvres connected to the sidelining of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
As 2027 approaches, Kirinyaga’s political landscape is expected to intensify, with Ngirici’s entry into the opposition fold likely to reshape the contest for control of the county.
