Ngirici: Fierce Ruto defender who has turned harsh critic
She has been a fierce defender of Deputy President William Ruto, a face of defiance in his camp, and a harsh critic of ODM leader Raila Odinga.
But of late, Kirinyaga Woman Rep Wangui Ngirici appears to be changing tune in favour of the ODM leader.
The abrasive Woman Rep, who has been a member of the Tanga Tanga brigade as well as the Inua Mama, both of which are allied to DP, has recently launched thin-veiled attacks on Ruto whose United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party she decamped from citing lack of respect, loyalty and democracy.
In particular, she has been uncomfortable with UDA for allegedly embracing her competitor Governor Anne Waiguru.
Ngirici has claimed that UDA was keen to give the Kirinyaga governorship ticket to the county chief who she says is unsuitable for leadership over allegations of presiding over a corrupt administration.
And yesterday, in what appeared like a coded message, the Woman Rep took to her social media platforms to wish the ODM leader a happy birthday.
Raila’s birthday falls today.
“Happy 77th Birthday Jakom,” she said, just a day after she chided Ruto over his political stance that leaders from Mt Kenya region must join his UDA party and those with their parties must fold them.
Local leaders
Of late, Ngirici has sided with former Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri, Governor Kiraitu Murungi (Meru), former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo, Narc Kenya boss Martha Karua and Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria in demanding respect for the Mt Kenya region.
Ngirici says interests of the region must be taken care of, must be designed by the local leaders, and those willing to accept the demands, must reveal it before the August poll.
“The interests of Mount Kenya can’t be dictated by outsiders. It’s only through partnerships and election of independent minded leaders that Mount Kenya will benefit.
We as the mountain might produce a Deputy President but we can only be sure that he/she shall be respected if we have a formidable coalition,” she wrote on Twitter.
Change colours
The Kirinyaga County MP has been the most vocal and would use unkind words on a target, making her an asset to the DP’s campaigns.
That Ngirici has fallen out with the DP became clear when she removed UDA colours from her offices in Kerugoya town and from her vehicles.
The offices that had been painted in yellow and green, the dominant UDA colours with the wheelbarrow, the party’s symbol, have been repainted in white.
She accused party officials of unfairness after she was reportedly asked to drop her bid for the gubernatorial position and instead defend her current seat.
Speaking on December 30, while on a tour of Mwea and Gichugu constituencies, Ngirici said she had already decamped from UDA and that she would vie for the governor seat as an independent candidate.
