Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru responded after the British High Commission drew a playful comparison between England star Declan Rice and her county's world-famous grain
The UK Embassy's post praised Declan Rice's standout 2026 FIFA World Cup performances with a cheeky nod to Kenya's premium Mwea rice
Waiguru seized the viral moment to champion Kirinyaga's agricultural pride, inviting the England squad to visit the famous rice fields
Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru couldn't let the moment pass. After the British High Commission in Nairobi dropped a cheeky football post comparing England midfielder Declan Rice to Kenya's prized Mwea rice, the governor jumped straight into the conversation with a rallying response that had the internet buzzing.
Ann Waiguru speaking during a past event and Declan Rice in action at the World Cup.
Anne Waiguru celebrated Declan Rice’s stellar 2026 World Cup performance after the UK Embassy highlighted the midfielder's excellence. Photo: Anne Waiguru and Jose Breton.
Source: Facebook
The British High Commission kicked things off with a post on Sunday, 19 July, captioned 'Pure Quality from Declan,' accompanied by text reading 'Pure quality like Mwea Rice.'
The post was a playful tribute to Rice's remarkable performances at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, drawing a colourful parallel between the Arsenal man and one of Kenya's most celebrated agricultural exports.
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Waiguru fired back with characteristic county pride, writing:
"Recognition received, @UKinKenya. When the world's finest midfielder @_DeclanRice is the one being compared to Mwea Rice, it only confirms what Kenyans have always known: nothing here is second grade. Pure quality isn't a slogan here; it's the standard. Bring the squad to Kirinyaga, and we'll show you where it's grown."
See Waiguru's full post on X:
Declan Rice's standout World Cup run
The comparison was well-earned. Rice was one of England's most influential players throughout the tournament, stepping up both as a creative force and a defensive anchor.
In the third-place play-off against France, Rice wore the captain's armband and wrote himself into the history books by scoring after just two minutes and 16 seconds, the third-fastest goal ever recorded in a World Cup bronze medal match.
England went on to win that thriller 6-4. Earlier in the tournament, Rice had created as many chances as England's next four players combined heading into the semi-finals, finishing with a passing accuracy of around 93% across seven appearances and registering two assists along the way.
England's campaign ultimately ended in heartbreak in the semi-finals, where Argentina came from behind to win 2-1, though the Three Lions claimed bronze in consolation.
Mwea, nestled in Kirinyaga County, is home to Kenya's largest and most productive rice irrigation scheme.
The region produces the bulk of the country's locally grown rice and has long been regarded as a symbol of Kenyan agricultural excellence.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
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