Waruguru shines in ‘day broadlight’
What you need to know:
- She accused Mr Kagwe of partnering with Dr Matiang’i to fuel their 2022 presidential bid contrary to the demands of the constitution.
She said the President should sack all CSs who have indulged in political campaigns and retain those who are willing to help him in leaving a good legacy once he exits power in 2022.
Like the comical characters in Francis Imbuga’s plays, Laikipia Woman rep Catherine Waruguru will often throw a word that invites a re-look at the English language.
“Day broadlight” is an example. This is how she used it in a press briefing targeting deputy president William Ruto last week: “He is a coward; he cannot stand during day boadri, day broadlight to communicate and tell the President off.”
Few moments later, she also unleashed another one: “What we want to say is this: Whatever is goose, good for goose is good for duck.”
What she meant was: “What is good for the goose is good for the gander.”
She made the utterances as she joined women politicians in demanding an apology from DP Ruto for the remarks made by his political allies — Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ng’eno (Kanu) and his Kapseret counterpart Oscar Sudi (Jubilee).
It is not just the first-term MP’s diction that is puzzling. Comparing what she said last week and what she had said about Uhuru’s ministers that are campaigning, one wonders where she belongs in the political divide.
2022 presidential bid
The criticism of four Cabinet secretaries few months after she ditched Dr Ruto’s camp showed that the lawmaker had started poking holes into Mr Kenyatta’s administration, where she had received a political soft-landing.
Ms Waruguru hurled a salvo at CSs Fred Matiang’i (Interior), Mutahi Kagwe (Health), Eugene Wamalwa (Devolution) and George Magoha (Education), accusing them of spending public resources on fostering their 2020 political ambitions.
She accused Mr Kagwe of partnering with Dr Matiang’i to fuel their 2022 presidential bid contrary to the demands of the constitution.
“During this coronavirus pandemic, you (Mr Kagwe) has been busy orchestrating plans on how you will become a deputy president and Dr Matiang’i the President in 2022. You should tell Kenyans the persons behind misappropriation of funds meant to fight coronavirus and have them prosecuted in a court of law instead of traversing the country with your friend from Interior ministry,” Ms Waruguru said.
She said the President should sack all CSs who have indulged in political campaigns and retain those who are willing to help him in leaving a good legacy once he exits power in 2022.
“Our brother Mwangi Kiunjuri was sacked after being accused of playing politics but people like CS Eugene Wamalwa are politicking but he is walking scot-free. Now, Mr Kagwe and Dr Matiang’i have joined campaign trail,” Ms Waruguru said.
Ms Waruguru seems to be sitting on a double-edged sword through her remarks: “I am neither in Tangatanga nor Kieleweke but I am serving the government of the day.”
Her political admirers identify her as “Mama Simba”, “Daughter of Zion” or “Mrembo wa Laikipia”.
Nevertheless, what is uncertain is whether she will pounce on the leadership of Laikipia County Boda Boda Association, which told her to “cease enjoining Laikipia residents in unnecessary battles with the State”. Led by their chairman Cyrus Kimanthi, the leaders called on the legislator to partner with the four CSs in ensuring that development reaches the grassroots.
Support the BBI
They lauded Dr Matiang’i for rolling out the boda boda digital registration programme that will enhance the safety of operators and ensuring that they benefit from various government programmes.
It is unclear on what made her change her stance since June when she met ODM party leader Raila Odinga at his Capitol Hill offices Nairobi, where she pledged to support the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) being championed by Mr Kenyatta and Mr Odinga.
Her response then when asked by Nation on whether her support for the DP remained solid was: “I support the government of the day”.
Ms Waruguru once attempted to storm into a meeting where Dr Matiang’i was addressing local leaders and security bosses at the Fairmont Mt Kenya Safari Club in Nanyuki to protest alleged harassment by police.
Well, she was promptly arrested and whisked away by police after the CS left.
Ms Waruguru was nominated to Laikipia County Assembly on a Jubilee Party ticket in 2013 but her star started rising in 2015 when he joined a delegation from Laikipia in a visit to State House, Nairobi. The Head of State noticed her and said: “Mrembo wa Laikipia hauna kitu ya kusema?. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Karatina University as well as a Diploma in Theology from Karatina Institute of Theological College.
