UDA Used Me to Lure More Vulnerable Voters- Ruto's 'Mama Mboga' Says

Pauline Waithira, 70, popularly known as 'Mama Mboga' hit the limelight on June 4th 2022 when then Deputy President and Presidential candidate William Ruto was campaigning for the country's top seat against his arch-rival Raila Odinga. 

Waithira represented Dr Ruto after the United Democratic Alliance selected him to accompany their presidential candidate to Bomas of Kenya as he filed his paperwork with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission ahead of the August 8 general election which he eventually won.

Ms Waithira had her moment in the spotlight on May 23 when UDA campaigned for their bottom-up model in Kiambu County at Limuru's Jumuia Conference Centre.  Through successful and persuasive campaigns that resonated with many Kenyans, Ruto and his think tank demonstrated how the system could empower ordinary citizens to become independent. She was one of the guest speakers at the event attended by Dr Ruto and his running mate Rigathi Gachagua, as well as a large UDA delegation.

She later presented the UDA leader with goodies placed in a  'kiondo'. In an interview, Ms Waithira denounces Ruto's administration arguing that even after working hard to promote UDA and helping them reach success, she is still poor and no longer enjoys the authority she had during the campaign. She says nobody is answering her calls anymore. Ms Waithera insists that UDA took advantage of her to deceive other impoverished individuals.

Kiambu Senator Karung'o Wathangwa fronted Ms Waithira to be Mr Ruto's official nomination agent. Despite this, she claims that the senator does not pick up her calls. She discloses that Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria and Kiambu MP Machua Waithaka are among those who fail to answer her calls, with Kuria having previously promised her a pick-up truck if UDA won the election. She reveals that Machua offered her a meagre Sh4,000 scholarship for her three grandchildren.