‘Hawezi survive, ata akijaribu nini!’ Wanjigi says Ruto has no chance of winning 2027 election

Safina Party leader and 2027 presidential hopeful Jimi Wanjigi has launched a blistering attack on President William Ruto, declaring that the Head of State will not secure a second term and 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 was afraid of the Constitution and warned that Kenyans were counting down to the next General Election.

"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 and accused him of relying on force instead of public goodwill.

"Watu waikuweka kwa hiyo kiti kwa kura. sasa unajaribu kutawala na bunduki. Na unaogopa Katiba. Kasongo, tunamark time," he said.

The Safina Party leader also took aim at Ruto's public displays of faith, alleging that they were at odds with his actions.

"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 calls for the President to leave office reflected growing public dissatisfaction, insisting that Ruto would be unable to survive politically regardless of the strategies he employs.

"Ni vizuri kusema 'Ruto must go.' Si tumekamilisha anaenda? Huyo hawezi survive, ata akijaribu nini, wachana naye," he said.

While reiterating his own presidential ambitions, Wanjigi argued that the country's political conversation should move beyond personalities and focus instead on who has credible solutions to Kenya's economic challenges.

"Lakini candidate ambaye anakuja, anajibu swali ya uchumi?" he asked.

Drawing parallels with the 2024 protests against the Finance Bill, Wanjigi said Kenyan youth had demonstrated a growing understanding of economic issues, signalling what he believes is the decline of 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.

Wanjigi also used the forum to explain why he remains active 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.