President William Ruto has appointed celebrated gospel musician Paul Waiganjo as Presidential Advisor on Development Affairs, in a move that marks a dramatic turn in the musician’s political journey — one that began with a parliamentary ambition and ends, for now, with a seat at the highest table of government.
The appointment was announced on Sunday, June 7, by Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano during a church service in Ol Kalou, Nyandarua County, where she confirmed that Waiganjo would be based at State House and would advise the President on national development matters.
“Waiganjo has a job. I hear someone asking me what job? Because I have his papers here — Waiganjo will be the advisor to the government on development issues across Kenya,” Miano declared before the congregation.
The announcement drew immediate attention, partly because of how rapidly Waiganjo’s political fortunes have shifted in recent months. The Kikuyu-language gospel artist had initially sought to contest the Ol Kalou parliamentary seat under the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. However, he suffered a heavy defeat in the party primaries held on May 9, finishing second with 4,978 votes against winner Sammy Kamau Ngotho, who secured a commanding 12,957 votes.
Rather than retreat from public life, Waiganjo pivoted. He crossed over to the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) within days of the loss and threw his weight behind the party’s by-election candidate, Samuel Muchina Nyaga. His realignment was widely interpreted as a calculated move that has now yielded a senior government role.
The Ol Kalou parliamentary seat fell vacant following the death of three-term MP David Njuguna Kiaraho on March 29, 2026. Kiaraho, who was 62, passed away while receiving cancer treatment at Nairobi Hospital. His death triggered an intense political contest, with the by-election set for July 16, 2026.
In his new role, Waiganjo will provide strategic advice to the President on development policy, grassroots progress, and the implementation of government programmes. He joins a team of presidential advisors that includes economist David Ndii, as the Kenya Kwanza administration continues to expand its advisory structures.
Beyond music, Waiganjo has built a profile as a businessman with interests in real estate and land, and has long wielded considerable grassroots influence in Central Kenya through his music and community engagements. His appointment signals the administration’s intention to leverage individuals with strong local credibility to drive its development agenda.
With the Ol Kalou by-election fast approaching, the appointment also carries unmistakable political undertones — reinforcing UDA’s foothold in the Mt Kenya region ahead of the 2027 General Election.
