Safina Party leader and 2027 presidential hopeful Jimi Wanjigi launched a blistering attack on President William Ruto, accusing him of ruling through fear rather than constitutional legitimacy.
Speaking during his consultative forum dubbed “Then What Kenya?” in Nakuru on Tuesday evening, Wanjigi claimed President Ruto fears the Constitution and warned that Kenyans are actively counting down to the next General Election.
“Kwa Nini Unaogopa Katiba?”
“Nataka kuambia Kasongo (Ruto), hizo gains ambazo ziko kwa Katiba ya Kenya… multipartyism iko, freedom iko, kuzungumza iko, kuandika iko, ku-assemble iko, maandamano iko… kwa nini unaogopa Katiba?” Wanjigi posed.
He went on to question the president’s legitimacy, asserting that Ruto relies on force instead of public goodwill.
“Watu walikuweka kwa hiyo kiti kwa kura. Sasa unajaribu kutawala na bunduki. Na unaogopa Katiba. Kasongo, tunamark time,” he said.
Attack on Ruto’s Faith
The Safina Party leader also took aim at Ruto’s public displays of faith, arguing that the president’s actions directly contradict his religious assertions.
“Kasongo anaendanga kwa kanisa, na akitoka ni uwongo tu. Kanisa kuna uwongo kweli? Si hiyo ni ya shetani? Tumeona maajabu,” he remarked.
Wanjigi maintained that the widespread chorus demanding the president’s one-term tenure reflects deep public dissatisfaction, insisting that Ruto will fail to survive politically no matter what strategies he deploys.
“Ni vizuri kusema ‘Ruto must go.’ Si tumekamilisha anaenda? Huyo hawezi survive, ata akijaribu nini, wachana naye,” he said.
Beyond Personalities, Wanjigi Says
While confirming his own presidential ambitions, Wanjigi argued that the country’s political conversation must move beyond mere personalities. He urged voters to focus on candidates who offer credible solutions to Kenya’s economic struggles.
“Lakini candidate ambaye anakuja, anajibu swali ya uchumi?” he asked.
Drawing parallels with the nationwide 2024 protests against the Finance Bill, Wanjigi said Kenyan youth now thoroughly understand complex economic issues, signaling what he described as the decline of traditional, ethnic-based politics.
“Over the last four years, watu walikuwa wanatuuliza; ‘Hii mambo mnaenda kwa runinga mnazungumza mambo ya uchumi, nobody will ever understand! Wewe fanya mambo ya ukabila.’ Lakini nimeskia kijana hapa anaongea mambo ya odious debt, si ana-understand? Wale ambao walijitokeza 2024 revolution ya Finance Bill, si hiyo ni mambo ya pesa? Si wana-understand? Hiyo siasa nafikiri imepitwa na wakati kidogo, sasa ni pesa,” he said.
Why He’s Staying in Politics
Wanjigi also explained his decision to remain in active politics despite what he described as targeted personal attacks against himself and his family.
“Do I really need to be in this politics? No. Mimi nimevamiwa na huyu mtu kwa nyumba yangu; amepiga watoto wangu… do I need to be in siasa? Si naweza pumzika tu, chakula sikosi, watoto wangu have finished their schooling… lakini hatuwezi kuishi na uwoga,” he said.
