‘We’re not being sponsored’: Justina Wamae on how Roots Party funds its campaigns

Roots Party’s deputy presidential candidate Justina Wamae has come out to dismiss claims that the political outfit’s 2022 State House ambition is being sponsored by another camp in a bid to divide the youth vote.

According Wamae, the Prof. George Wajackoyah-led party only threw its hat into the ring to provide Kenyans with alternative leadership.

Wamae said they have brought into the presidential race a barrage of fresh and unique ideas that have resonated well with Kenyans.

“We’re not being sponsored. And this is a question I’m posing, why should we have the best ideas than the sponsor? Our idea is unique; we’re fresh, we’re new, we’re not being sponsored,” she said, during the deputy presidential candidate held at CUEA on Tuesday.

“Politics is about amplifying the voices of Kenyans, giving different interest groups their voices. Na mwenye anashinda tunampa heshima zake. So we’re not being sponsored by anyone, na tuko hapa mpaka mwisho. Nobody owns anyone’s vote, our role ni kuambia Wakenya that there is an alternative. Na Mkenya usiogope kupigia Roots Party kura ati juu wewe ni wa mtu mwengine."

She further sought to rubbish assertions that they’re being financed, claiming instead that their campaign is run solely by contributions from their supporters.

Wamae went ahead to add that politicians who spend millions of their own money in campaigns will only seek to recoup it once they get into office.

She also castigated the Kenyan electorate for tolerating such leaders, telling they would have nothing to blame if such leaders turn their backs on them after ascending to higher offices.

“Our mode of campaign ni kama ile ilitumika na Indian PM Modi. Wakenya wamechoka in a way they tell us come to Nakuru, tunasema hatuna pesa, mwingine anasema enda fuel kwa petrol station yangu, mwengine lala in my hotel I’ll give you food, bora mkuje Nakuru muongeleshe watu…that is our mode of campaign,” said the Prof. Wajackoyah running mate.

“And, by the way, hakuna pesa sisi tumeibia Wakenya. Hiyo kasumba tunataka kubadilisha. And Kenyans, I blame you for poor leadership, because kila saa mwanasiasa akikuja, you want to be given something, and that is what motivates wanasiasa kuiba wakiingia ndani; they recoup, because there’s return on investment, hawezi ekelea pesa yake alafu unafikiria ata unakula freely. No wonder we have bad leadership. Kwa hivo wewe Mkenya ukituona tunakuja campaign, msituchukie juu hatuna kitu, sisi tuko na idea tunataka kupeleka Kenya mbele.”