In what felt like a scene from a Hollywood thriller, a heavily armed team of police officers stormed Jimmy Wanjigi’s Muthaiga residence, meticulously searching every corner. Their mission: is to find Jimmy Wanjigi, the man who has become a thorn in President Ruto’s side.
The government even deployed the elite Special Service Unit—forces usually reserved for dealing with terror suspects. Was Wanjigi a terror suspect? To his family, he’s just an innocent man. But to President Ruto, Wanjigi is a formidable political adversary in the race for power.
What crime could have provoked such an intense response from the government? Wanjigi’s so-called offense was his alleged involvement in recent protests and his bold claims of funding them. These statements incited the government’s fury, leading them to raid his home in an attempt to send a strong message. However, their efforts were in vain as Wanjigi was nowhere to be found.
In this political standoff, it appears President Ruto may be losing more ground than he’s gaining. Here’s why his actions might be inadvertently boosting Jimmy Wanjigi’s presidential ambitions.
The crackdown on Wanjigi comes at a time when many Kenyans have lost trust in President Ruto. To make matters worse, Raila Odinga, once a champion of the people’s rights, is now seen as too close to Ruto, turning both leaders into public adversaries.
Jimmy Wanjigi has positioned himself as a defender of the underprivileged, aiming to gain the trust of Kenyans and challenge President Ruto in the 2027 elections. His continuous criticism of the government has resonated with many, leading them to shift their support from the current regime to Wanjigi, who seems to address Kenya’s pressing economic challenges.
Recognizing the growing discontent among Kenyans, Wanjigi has been vocal about the corruption and financial mismanagement within Ruto’s administration. This bold stance has significantly boosted his popularity, making him a serious contender for the presidency.
The raid on Wanjigi’s residence comes as the Mount Kenya region feels increasingly neglected by Ruto’s government. Reports of a potential impeachment motion against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua further highlight the region’s dissatisfaction. With many in Central Kenya eager to see one of their own in the presidency, Wanjigi, who hails from this region, is emerging as a charismatic leader who could represent Mount Kenya in the 2027 presidential race.
Wanjigi could also persuade his community to back his presidential bid, especially as Ruto appears to be shifting his focus towards the Nyanza region. Given the central region’s historical influence in determining Kenya’s leadership—evident in how Ruto and Gachagua united to gain power—Wanjigi’s support from Mount Kenya, combined with backing from other disillusioned Kenyans, could give him a strong chance to challenge Ruto in 2027.
But the real question remains: could Wanjigi successfully defeat Ruto on the ballot?
Many believe that Wanjigi should capitalize on the sympathy he’s gaining from Kenyans to fuel his presidential campaign. President Ruto effectively used a similar strategy by accusing former President Uhuru Kenyatta of persecuting him, which played a significant role in his 2022 victory. Voters supported Ruto and Gachagua partly to punish Kenyatta.
In the 2013 elections, Uhuru Kenyatta and Ruto, who were facing charges at the ICC for the 2007 post-election violence, also used their situation to garner public sympathy. Ruto’s emotional recounting of his survival from the ICC’s clutches resonated with many Kenyans, ultimately leading to their election as president and deputy president.
With Wanjigi realizing that a significant portion of the country supports him, he could easily use this sympathy to ascend to power by following Ruto’s well-tested strategy. Many are warning that the more President Ruto focuses on Wanjigi, the more popular and formidable Wanjigi becomes, potentially surpassing Rigathi Gachagua as Ruto’s biggest challenge.
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