Wangui Ngirici resolves to withdraw petition challenging Governor Waiguru’s victory
Former Kirinyaga Woman Representative Wangui Ngirici has resolved to withdraw a petition challenging Governor Anne Waiguru's poll victory.
In a statement on Wednesday, October 5, Ngirici said the move follows serious soul searching and wide consultation with her supporters, the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party and the Kenya Kwanza leadership.
The politician, who vied for the seat on an independent ticket in the August 9 election, said she resolved to drop the case to allow Kirinyaga residents to enjoy uninterrupted services, despite pressure from some quarters to go on with the court battle.
"After serious soul searching and wide consultation with my supporters and UDA and Kenya Kwanza leadership, I have decided to take a bold step; One that does not serve to advantage me or disorganize and disenfranchise the Governor but one that serves the full advantage to the people of Kirinyaga," Ngirici said.
"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 thereby, very proudly, announce that am withdrawing the Court Petition with immediate effect. I will therefore and consequently issue instructions to my able Lawyers accordingly."
While recognising Waiguru's new role as the Chairperson of the Council of Governors, the politician also stated that she wants to allow the county boss to discharge her duties without interruption.
"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 Chair of the Council of Governors," she said.
"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."
Ngirici to work with Waiguru
Ngirici also pledged to work with Waiguru and keep her administration in check to improve service delivery to the residents.
"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," she added.
"This does not however mean that I won't criticize 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," Ngirici stated.
While urging her supporters to remain calm, Ngirici expressed interest in serving the people of Kirinyaga in the future.
"To me, the people will always come first. There is still a next time, my people. And a next time to win," Ngirici said.
"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 owe immense gratitude to all my supporters in Kirinyaga and elsewhere across the globe. We live to fight another day and win big time.",
In the August 9 poll, Waiguru was declared the winner after garnering 113,088 votes, with Ngirici finishing second after garnering 105,667 votes. Charles Kiburi of Jubilee came a distant third with 22,065 votes.
While challenging Waiguru's win in Kerugoya Law Courts last month, the former woman MP said she had evidence that the outcome of the poll was manipulated to suit Waiguru.
Ngirici ditched President William Ruto's UDA party in December last year following Waiguru's defection to the Kenya Kwanza Alliance affiliate outfit.
