Paul Waiganjo resigns as Ruto’s development adviser, cites limits of role

Gospel musician-turned-politician Paul Waiganjo has resigned from his position as President William Ruto’s adviser on development matters, citing limitations within the role that he said prevented him from delivering the impact he had envisioned.

Waiganjo announced his resignation during a press briefing in Nairobi on Friday, September 25, 2026, roughly four months after his appointment on May 28. He had been based at State House Nairobi and served under the Office of Programmes and Special Projects.

He said he formally tendered his resignation at 3 p.m., arguing that he could not continue holding a mandate he believed he was unable to meaningfully execute.

“Because I refuse to hold a mandate I cannot meaningfully execute, I have made the firm, principled, and good faith decision to tender my resignation on this 25th day of September, 2026, at exactly 3 p.m. Kenyan time,” Waiganjo said.

Why Waiganjo resigned

Waiganjo said he had spent time reflecting on the structure of his office and its ability to address challenges he had encountered across the country, particularly in his home county of Nyandarua.

He said he had consulted local clergy, professionals, entrepreneurs and young people before deciding to leave government.

According to Waiganjo, he found a significant gap between the responsibilities attached to his advisory position and the development needs he had hoped to address.

“Despite attaining the prestigious national appointment, I found a painful and underwhelming mismatch between the confines of my new role in government and the ambitious vision I held for Nyandarua County,” he said.

He also questioned whether it was appropriate for him to remain in an advisory position while witnessing challenges affecting public services and households.

“A profound disconnect existed between my state role and the pressing struggles on the ground. I began to ask myself, how could I, in good conscience, draw a salary for a redundant position where our local hospitals suffer from critical resources starvation? School dropout rates spiked due to delayed capitation,” Waiganjo said.

He further raised concerns about statutory deductions affecting workers and economic pressure on businesses.

“How could I remain silent while hardworking citizens see their pay slips smothered by relentless statutory deductions? To comfortably occupy a title under such circumstances would be a fundamental betrayal of my oath,” he added.

Development agenda he had hoped to pursue

Waiganjo said he initially accepted the presidential advisory position believing it would give him an opportunity to contribute to development programmes.

Among the areas he had hoped to influence were school construction, hospital upgrades, borehole drilling, street lighting and job creation.

“When I accepted the role of our adviser to the president on development matters, I did so with a conviction that it would serve as a vital vehicle to deliver impact across our nation,” he said.

He subsequently said his consultations in Nyandarua highlighted challenges including inadequate roads, unreliable electricity, post-harvest losses and limited value addition in agriculture.

Waiganjo argued that these challenges were restricting the county’s ability to maximise its agricultural potential.

From politics to State House

Waiganjo’s appointment followed his departure from the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), after he had been involved in the political contest surrounding the Ol Kalou parliamentary seat.

He had expressed interest in the seat before leaving DCP following disagreements over the party’s nomination process. He subsequently joined the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) camp.

His appointment as development adviser was later announced in June during a church service in Ol Kalou, with Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano saying he would advise the government on development matters and work from State House.

What next for Waiganjo?

Waiganjo did not announce a specific political position he intends to pursue following his resignation.

However, his remarks suggested that he remains focused on Nyandarua and could seek an elective position in the future, including a possible return to the Ol Kalou parliamentary race or another county-level position.

He also used his resignation address to speak about the 2027 political contest and urged voters in the Mt Kenya region to register as voters if they want to influence the outcome.

Waiganjo declared his opposition to a second Ruto term, saying the region was part of a “one-term movement” and arguing that political change would have to be achieved through the ballot rather than rhetoric.

His resignation therefore marks a return to the political arena for a figure whose move from gospel music into government had, only months earlier, placed him inside the State House advisory structure.