Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has raised alarm over the rising political intolerance in the country, warning that Kenya is heading down a dangerous road if it continues to silence different opinions and misuse party loyalty.
Speaking during a public event on Friday, August 1, 2025, Waiguru said that excluding people from politics simply because they belong to a different party is a threat to democracy.
She reminded Kenyans that everyone has a right to participate in leadership, no matter their political side, and it would be wrong to reach a point where people are denied the chance to run for office just because of their party membership.
Waiguru, who is also the former chairperson of the Council of Governors, strongly condemned the habit of punishing people for having different political views.
She said Kenya has made a lot of progress in democratic space, and it would be unfortunate to start blocking people from expressing themselves or seeking leadership positions because they don’t support a particular political leader or group.
According to her, this kind of thinking not only weakens democracy but also creates an environment where leaders fear speaking out, and citizens are left with limited choices.
She added that it is dangerous when some people in power begin to think that those who oppose them should not be allowed to speak or participate in politics. This, she warned, can easily lead to political fights, especially when the silenced parties begin to push back.
Her warning comes at a time when there are increasing cases of political gatherings being interrupted and some leaders facing rejection when they try to address the public in areas considered strongholds of opposing sides.
These incidents are signs of growing tension and mistrust, and Waiguru feels that leaders should not ignore them.
Being a senior figure in the Kenya Kwanza coalition, Waiguru’s voice carries weight, and her comments appeared to be aimed not just at the opposition but also at her own allies.
She did not mention names, but many observers believe she was indirectly speaking about the divisions already forming ahead of the 2027 elections.
The way things are going, even parties that are supposed to be united are facing internal fights over loyalty, ambition, and control.
Waiguru ended her speech by urging all political players to allow space for different opinions and avoid using threats and fear to silence others.
She said that for Kenya’s democracy to grow, it must be built on tolerance, respect, and the understanding that not everyone will agree, but everyone must be allowed to speak.
She called for a return to peaceful political engagement and respect for democratic values, warning that ignoring these things could lead to deeper conflicts in the near future.
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