Jimi Wanjigi Takes Helm of Safina Party, Vows to Challenge President Ruto in 2027

Jimi Wanjigi has officially assumed leadership of the Safina Party, taking over from founding leader Paul Muite during a Special Delegates Convention held in Nairobi on 18 September.

In a statement released the following day, Wanjigi praised Muite’s role in shaping Kenya’s democratic landscape, calling him a “champion of justice and integrity.” Muite, a Senior Counsel, founded Safina in 1995 during the country’s push for multiparty democracy and has been widely recognised for his work in constitutional reform and human rights advocacy.

Wanjigi used the convention to outline his vision for the party’s future, focusing on a platform of economic reform. He proposed a sharp reduction of Value Added Tax (VAT) from 16 to 4 percent, a suspension of what he referred to as “odious debt” repayments, and a halt to domestic borrowing. He also pledged to implement universal healthcare and provide free education at both primary and secondary levels.

Arguing that Kenya’s growing debt has hindered development and limited opportunities for the youth, Wanjigi positioned Safina as a vehicle for economic transformation. He urged young Kenyans to support the party’s reform agenda, which he described as a generational shift aimed at social equity and financial restructuring.

“The Safina ship now has a captain determined to unseat President William Ruto,” Wanjigi told delegates, confirming his intention to run for president in the 2027 general elections.