Safina Party leader and 2027 presidential hopeful Jimi Wanjigi has launched a fresh attack on President William Ruto, claiming the Head of State will not secure a second term in office and accusing him of undermining constitutional freedoms.
Speaking during his consultative forum dubbed Then What Kenya? in Nakuru on Tuesday evening, Wanjigi alleged that President Ruto was afraid of the Constitution despite benefiting from the democratic gains it guarantees.
"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.
The Safina Party leader questioned the President's leadership style, alleging that he was relying on force rather than the mandate granted by voters.
"Watu waliweka kwa hiyo kiti kwa kura, sasa unajaribu kutawala na bunduki. Na unaogopa Katiba. Kasongo, tunamark time," he said.
Wanjigi also criticised Ruto's public expressions of faith, claiming they were inconsistent with his conduct in office.
"Kasongo anaendanga kwa kanisa, na akitoka ni uwongo tu. Kanisa kuna uwongo kweli? Si hiyo ni ya shetani? Tumeona maajabu," he remarked.
He maintained that public calls for the President to leave office reflected growing dissatisfaction with the current administration.
"Ni vizuri kusema 'Ruto must go.' Si tumekamilisha anaenda? Huyo hawezi survive, ata akijaribu nini, wachana naye," Wanjigi said.
Calls for issue-based politics
While reaffirming his own presidential ambitions, Wanjigi argued that the country's political discourse should shift away from personalities and focus on leaders' ability to address Kenya's economic challenges.
"Lakini candidate ambaye anakuja, anajibu swali ya uchumi?" he asked.
He cited the 2024 anti-Finance Bill protests as evidence that Kenyan youth are increasingly engaging with economic issues rather than ethnic 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.
Wanjigi also explained why he continues to participate in politics despite what he described as personal attacks directed at him 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.
The remarks come as political leaders intensify engagements across the country ahead of the 2027 General Election, with prospective candidates outlining their agendas and positioning themselves for the presidential race.
