This archive report was first published on 3 November 2021.
On November 3, 2021, Kirinyaga Senator Charles Kibiru was endorsed by four groups to take over as the county's spokesperson after Governor Anne Waiguru dumped Jubilee to join United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
The groups, which include Jubilee county officials, Maendeleo ya Wanawake, Kiama Kia Ma, and Kikuyu Council of Elders, said Mr. Kibiru will be the link between them and the national government to ensure that there is no vacuum after Waiguru, who was spokesperson, "broke ranks with President Uhuru Kenyatta."
Speaking at a hotel in Sagana, Kikuyu Council of Elders chairman Harrison Ndambiri emphasized the importance of Senator Kibiru's endorsement, stating that he would receive briefs from national government officials and deliver them to county stakeholders.
Senator Kibiru's mandate will be to oversee national projects and the county government. Kirinyaga county Jubilee chairman Muriithi Kang'ara noted that there was a vacuum that has since been filled, saying, "From today we have endorsed Kibiru to fill the political vacuum. He will be the one to coordinate all activities between Kirinyaga and the national government and also our bridge in case we want government to address a certain issue."
Maendeleo ya Wanawake chair Diana Gicaia downplayed the governor's assertions that Jubilee was weak in the region, exuding confidence that the party will win all elective positions in the county come next year's polls, saying, "She defected alone but the party is very strong in fact it will scoop all the elective positions in the county."
Senator Kibiru welcomed the decision by the four groups, stating that he would reach out to other leaders to forge unity. He emphasized his support for President Kenyatta's development record in the county and vowed to ensure the completion of ongoing development projects, saying, "I have been mandated by the elders to ensure completion of on-going development projects, they should not stall due to leadership vacuum."
