Wangui Ngirici: Why I have withdrawn election petition against Governor Waiguru

Former Kirinyaga Woman Representative Wangui Ngirici. [File, Standard]

Former Kirinyaga Woman Representative Wangui Ngirici says she has applied to withdraw her election petition against Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru after wide consultations with the leadership of Kenya Kwanza.

Ngirici further says that her withdrawal of the case will allow Governor Waiguru to discharge her duties "without interruptions".

Waiguru of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) got 113,088 votes against Ngirici's 105,677 votes to successfully defend her seat in the August 9, 2022 elections.

Ngirici, who ran on Independent ticket after losing UDA favour, alleged malpractice during and after the August 9, 2022 polls, citing violence and vote-rigging.

Through her lawyer, Brian Khaemba, Ngirici told the Kerugoya High Court on Wednesday, October 5 that she wants to withdraw the matter.

Khaemba said that while heading to the court for the pre-trial conference on Wednesday, he received a call from Ngirici, asking him to file a notice of withdrawal.

Justice Richard Mwongo, consequently, gave Ngirici seven days to formally file the withdrawal application.

The matter returns to court on October 24, 2022 for mention.

Governor Anne Waiguru's spouse Kamotho Waiganjo welcomed the withdrawal of the case, saying Kirinyaga constituents would now be served fully without any interruptions.

Waiguru is serving her second term as governor after victories in the August 8, 2017 General Election and August 9, 2022 General Election.

In 2017, during her first attempt at elective politics, the former Devolution Cabinet Secretary (CS) ran on Jubilee Party ticket, defeating NARC-Kenya Party leader Martha Karua.

Karua unsuccessfully challenged Waiguru's win, all the way to the Supreme Court of Kenya.

Below is Wangui Ngirici's full statement, revealing why she has decided to withdraw the election petition against Governor Anne Waiguru:

"After serious soul searching and wide consultation with my supporters, the UDA and Kenya Kwanza leadership, I have decided to take a bold step; one that does not serve to advantage me or disorganise and disenfranchise the governor but one that serves the full advantage to the people of Kirinyaga.

"I have gone against strong tides of pressure to press on with the court battle, resolved to withdraw the petition challenging Governor Waiguru's victory, not because we didn't have facts nor pregnant grounds to see the petition to the end, but to allow the people of Kirinyaga to enjoy uninterrupted services.

"I wish to grant the governor the full benefit, space and enough legroom to, without any excuse nor interruptions, discharge her duties to our people as the county head and, as the Chairperson of the Council of Governors.

"Delivering to the people of Kirinyaga is more important to me than political victory.

"It isn't and has never been a matter of life and death.

"To me, the people will always come first.

"There is still a next time, my people.

"And a next time to win.

"I, therefore, appeal to the governor to tirelessly and devotedly work to deliver the delayed benefits of devolution to our people.

"I beseech her to see beyond herself and sacrifice everything to ensure that our people benefit and busk under the shade of the glorious tree of devolution and accelerated development.

"I have, therefore, chosen to support her in whichever way and to consult from time to time on how to best help and deliver to our people.

"This does not, however, mean that I won't criticise when necessary, or call out complacency and mistakes when and if they occur.

"I will be the watchful eye of the Kirinyaga people for the next five years.

"I will share every good idea with her and condemn every retrogressive step taken by her regime.

"I thereby, very proudly, announce that I am withdrawing the court petition with immediate effect.

"I will, therefore, and consequently issue instructions to my able lawyers accordingly.

"I owe immense gratitude to all my supporters in Kirinyaga and elsewhere across the globe.

"We live to fight another day and win big time.

"Winning is sometimes taking bold and unpopular steps even when they aren't necessarily convenient to you.

"I wish Governor Anne Waiguru all the best and good health too as she executes her mandate as governor of my beloved county for the next four and a half years, or so.

"May God bless Kirinyaga and the great people of Kenya.

"Let's all endeavour to make Kirinyaga and Kenya smile again. Ahsanteni."

Hon. Purity Wangui Ngirici.