Safina Party leader and 2027 presidential hopeful Jimi Wanjigi has identified the fight against poverty as his top priority if he wins the presidency in the next General Election. Wanjigi argues that poverty is at the heart of many of the challenges Kenya continues to face and says addressing it would help improve other sectors, including healthcare and education. Speaking during an interview on Thee Alfa House YouTube channel, the businessman-turned-politician said Kenya had made notable strides in education and healthcare since independence but had yet to deal effectively with poverty.
Wanjigi Cites Kenyatta’s Independence Agenda
Wanjigi referred to the priorities identified by Kenya’s first President, Jomo Kenyatta, at independence, saying poverty, health and education were among the country’s major challenges at the time. He questioned why Kenyans were still struggling with the same issues more than six decades later. According to Wanjigi, eliminating poverty would have a wider impact on the country’s social challenges by improving the economic circumstances of ordinary citizens.
Claims Majority of Kenyans Live in Poverty
The presidential hopeful cited poverty statistics which he said demonstrate the magnitude of the problem. Wanjigi claimed that about 32 million Kenyans are living in poverty, with roughly 12 million experiencing multidimensional poverty associated with challenges in areas such as education and healthcare.
He further argued that food poverty and absolute poverty affect a significant portion of the population, putting the overall poverty rate at approximately 60 per cent. Wanjigi questioned why such a large proportion of Kenyans continues to live in poverty more than 60 years after independence.
Wanjigi Blames Lack of Capital
The Safina leader said Kenya’s economic struggles cannot be blamed on a lack of education, talent or determination among its citizens. He argued that Kenyans have the skills, potential and work ethic required to build a stronger economy, but limited access to capital remains a major barrier.
According to Wanjigi, access to capital is one of the key factors separating prosperous nations from those struggling economically. He questioned why Kenya continues to face economic difficulties despite having an educated and hardworking population, as well as relative peace and unity.
Push for Economic and Political Reforms
Wanjigi has continued to campaign for changes to Kenya’s political and economic systems as he positions himself ahead of the 2027 presidential election. He has frequently criticised successive administrations, arguing that they have failed to deliver lasting economic transformation and meaningful improvements in the lives of ordinary Kenyans. His latest remarks place poverty reduction at the centre of his campaign message as he seeks to convince voters ahead of the 2027 polls.
