Wanjigi new face of Kenya’s opposition after Raila exit: Lawyer Willis Otieno

Lawyer Willis Otieno says former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s exit from Kenya’s political stage to focus on his African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship bid makes businessman Jimi Wanjigi the new face of the opposition.

Odinga has been the de facto leader of Kenya’s opposition for many years after five unsuccessful attempts at the presidency, including in the 2022 general election when he lost to President William Ruto.

After the contested election outcome which saw Odinga unsuccessfully petition the Supreme Court, President Ruto has since endorsed the former PM for the AUC job and is expected to announce his bid on August 27 formally.

Wanjigi is the Safina Party leader and has recently been embroiled in a tussle with the state over allegations he has sponsored the youth-led anti-government demonstrations. He is also accused of illegal firearm possession.

Otieno, who is among the lawyers representing Wanjigi, says the opposition is “in a good state” under the businessman.

“Jimi Wanjigi is now the face of opposition in this country… (Odinga) has left him to take care of the opposition. We are about to transition into a new era of politics whereas Raila has been used as a bogeyman for the opposition, we are now moving into issue-based politics,” the lawyer told Citizen TV’s Daybreak program on Thursday.

He described Odinga as “the most consequential politician in the country since independence,” saying “he has shaped all our political developments and has moulded all our political developments more than other politicians.”

“His exit from politics will have a significant impact,” Otieno added.

Odinga on Wednesday announced he will not be actively involved in Kenyan politics if he clinches the AUC chairmanship next year.

"You know that I will begin working for the continent once I am elected in February next year. At the moment, I am involved in the campaigns, but that does not mean that Kenya will cease to exist," he told journalists in Nairobi.

"I will not be very active in Kenyan politics henceforth as I shift my attention to the continental campaigns. It is a transitional phase from active participation in Kenyan politics to a focus on African continental politics."

Rwanda’s Paul Kagame and Yoweri Museveni of Uganda are among the other regional heads of state who have endorsed Odinga.

The former PM seeks to succeed Chad's Moussa Faki, who is set to finish his second term next year.

If Odinga clinches the job he will serve from 2025 to 2028.

Meanwhile, the High Court has since temporarily suspended Wanjigi’s prosecution over illegal possession of assorted firearms.

Justice Bahati Mwamuye on Tuesday stayed proceedings in all criminal cases arising from the alleged confiscation of firearms by police and ordered the firearms licensing board not to revoke any certificates issued to Wanjigi.

The businessman maintains his prosecution is politically instigated.