Jimi Wanjigi: How I Plan to Force a Presidential Runoff

Safina presidential aspirant, Jimi Wanjigi, during a media roundtable at his Kwacha House office, on Thursday, April 21, 2022.
Safina presidential aspirant, Jimi Wanjigi, during a media roundtable at his Kwacha House office, on Thursday, April 21, 2022.
Courtesy

Safina Presidential candidate Jimi Wanjigi has claimed that no one will win in the first round of the August 2022 presidential race unless the election is rigged.

Wanjigi spoke on Sunday, May 1, after attending a church service in Murang’a. He dismissed the two-horse race ideology claiming that he was a serious contender whose candidature would deny the leading candidate an outright win in the August 9 poll. 

He added that the fact that he knew how such plans and deals were made would help him mount a serious campaign - having been part of such political negotiations and deal-making in the past. 

Nairobi businessman, Jimi Wanjigi during a past event,
Nairobi businessman, Jimi Wanjigi during a past event.
The Standard

“They have been trying to create a narrative that this is a two-horse race, this is something that has been planned for a long time. We know how such backdoor deals are made, we have been part of them. The current coalitions are tribal cocoons” Wanjigi stated.

The businessman added that he would work with right thinking Kenyans to provide an alternative political order to the prescribed colonial order.

“I want to work with right thinking Kenyans who have decided to come to the table and be counted and provide solutions” he stated.

On his choice of running mate, he did not give a name but noted that his deputy would be representative of the aspirations of the majority of Kenyans.

“The choice of running mate is going to be a very clear picture of the kind of challenge we have today in this nation. We have an economic crisis and a bankrupt government that is affecting our lives and that is what should be on the table,” he retaliated. 

According to the billionaire politician, the Azimio Coalition was President Uhuru Kenyatta’s power extension strategy that should be rejected in order to preserve the constitutional spirit of a president serving for only two terms. 

Wanjigi recently moved out of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party after falling out with the party leader and his competitor in the presidential race - Raila Odinga.

Senior Counsel Paul Muite in court in 2017
Senior Counsel Paul Muite argues in court in 2017