Businessman and Safina Party leader Jimi Wanjigi has publicly opposed the United Opposition’s plan to front Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka as its presidential candidate in next year’s elections.
Speaking during a radio interview on Sunday, June 21, Wanjigi described Kalonzo as uninspiring and lacking the innate initiative needed to drive a meaningful political cause.
He based this assessment on his experience working alongside the Wiper leader during Raila Odinga’s 2017 presidential campaign.
Businessman and Safina Party leader Jimi Wanjigi. Photo: Courtesy.
Wanjigi acknowledged Kalonzo as a friend but stated candidly that, despite his long tenure in politics, he does not see him as a driver of any agenda.
He further argued that Kalonzo has failed to build a strong political machine of his own and has not learned from Raila Odinga’s mastery of Kenya’s political landscape.
In Wanjigi’s view, Kalonzo remains politically dependent on others, making him a weak contender against formidable opponents like President William Ruto.
He pointed out that despite supporting Raila in three elections, Kalonzo has never established a significant voice or following in Raila’s own strongholds, which Wanjigi interprets as evidence of a leadership deficit.
Consequently, he believes that fielding Kalonzo would make Ruto’s re-election campaign relatively easy.
Beyond the candidate choice, Wanjigi also criticized the opposition’s overall campaign strategy. He noted that the coalition is rallying around ethnic affiliations rather than presenting a clear policy agenda to the public.
He warned that this approach would play directly into Ruto’s hands, as the president would outmaneuver them in the same ethnic-based political game.
