Kirinyaga Governor and UDA heavyweight Anne Waiguru has declared the "rebellion" in Mt Kenya officially over. In a show of force at her Kutus residence, she welcomed back a flock of political prodigals, asserting that the ruling party has fully regained its grip on the voter-rich region.

Hosting thousands of grassroots leaders and newly elected party officials, Waiguru did not just hold a meeting; she held a victory lap. Her message was clear: the restless Mountain has calmed, and the path for President William Ruto’s 2027 re-election is being paved with renewed loyalty. But is this genuine unity, or merely political survival?

"We Are Back Home"

The gathering comes against a backdrop of intense infighting and the looming shadow of "Village Politics" that has threatened to fracture the Kenya Kwanza coalition. Waiguru, however, painted a picture of a consolidated front. "The noise you heard was just that—noise," she told the cheering crowd. "Today, you see the reality. The defectors have returned because they know where the development is."

She specifically highlighted the return of several influential MCAs and ward coordinators who had flirted with opposition outfits. Their return is a significant coup for Waiguru, who is positioning herself not just as a county boss, but as the de facto Kingpin—or Queenpin—of the region.

• The Numbers Game: Waiguru claimed her faction swept over 80% of the grassroots election seats, effectively locking out rivals.
• The Gachagua Factor: In a veiled swipe at former DP Rigathi Gachagua’s camp, she warned against "blind opposition" that lacks a presidential candidate. "You cannot lead people into the wilderness without a map," she quipped.
• Development as Bait: The Governor linked the renewed loyalty directly to national government projects, citing road upgrades and market constructions worth billions of shillings.

The Strategic Calculus

For the average resident of Central Kenya, this political theater translates to one thing: resource allocation. Waiguru’s narrative is that staying close to the fire of the Presidency ensures the region doesn't freeze. She urged residents to be "strategic and deliberate," a polite way of saying that opposition politics pays no dividends in the current dispensation.

"No one should tell us to get out of government without clearly explaining where we are going," she argued. This pragmatic approach resonates with a business-minded electorate that prioritizes economic stability over ideological battles.

Ruto's 2027 Machine

This event serves as a critical stress test for President Ruto’s 2027 machinery. By consolidating Kirinyaga—a bellwether county—Waiguru is signaling to State House that the "shareholders" are secure. However, critics warn that grassroots elections are often managed affairs and may not reflect the true sentiment of the Wanjiku on the ground who is grappling with the high cost of living.

As the bulls were slaughtered and the feast began in Kutus, the message to the rest of the political class was unmistakable: Waiguru is digging in, and she intends to hold the Mountain for the President, come hell or high water.