Safina Party leader and businessman Jimi Wanjigi has positioned himself as a proponent of transformative leadership, urging a shift from authority to action that directly benefits Kenyans.

Posting on X on November 24, 2025, Wanjigi declared, “It is only purpose-driven leadership that can ignite an economic revolution in Kenya, creating opportunities, empowering communities, and ensuring that growth delivers tangible benefits to the people.”

He emphasised accountability, adding, “True leadership is not measured by power or position, but by the ability to turn vision into meaningful action that uplifts others. I exemplify this principle.”

Voices critiquing fiscal mismanagement

Wanjigi’s call echoes wider criticism of the Kenya Kwanza administration.

City lawyer Willis Otieno flagged overspending by the Deputy President’s office, posting, “The Office of the Deputy President has overspent its budget by 50 per cent. In just three months, they’ve blown through Ksh1.1 billion against an allocation of Ksh743 million.”

He added, “This is a cash-burning festival at the expense of a starving country. While Kenyans tighten their belts, this office expands its stomach. While hospitals lack drugs and universities collapse, they find new ways to chew more than Parliament ever approved.”

Similarly, former Roots Party running mate Justina Wamae lamented excessive domestic borrowing, tweeting, “The money meant for development and refinancing was instead used for daily government spending. Ama hii pesa is funding UDA candidates’ election campaigns, empowerment and travels? Bear in mind that 68 per cent of ordinary revenue is going to debt repayment, pensions and subscriptions to international organisations.”

Pressure from international and local observers

International concerns amplify the discourse. Narok Senator Ledama Olekina criticised IMF influence, warning, “The IMF should never be allowed to dictate policy for sovereign nations; its role must be limited to that of a lender, not a puppet master dragging African economies back into the Stone Age while the rest of the world speeds ahead into the future.”

Former Chief Justice David Maraga also challenged the government’s narrative on fiscal stewardship, urging, “We can continue pretending that President Ruto understands our struggles and challenges, and that he will treat with utmost respect our blood, sweat, tears, and taxes. Or we can choose an honest leadership that treats every tax shilling as if it’s the last we have, and invests it to create work and opportunities here.”