Roots Party leader George Wajackoyah has heaped praise on several prominent opposition figures, describing business magnate Jimi Wanjigi as “ministerial material,” hailing former Chief Justice David Maraga for his integrity, and branding Martha Karua as an “iron lady” capable of ending corruption.

In a televised interview on Sunday, May 24, 2026, Wajackoyah appeared to signal openness to future political cooperation with reform-minded leaders ahead of the 2027 General Election, even as he criticised tribal politics and claimed he had been sidelined by sections of the opposition after the death of opposition veteran Raila Odinga.

Speaking about Wanjigi, the outspoken Roots Party leader described him as one of the sharpest minds in Kenyan politics and business.

“Jimi Wanjigi is a good man, he is my friend, he is my baddie. He has a smart brain. If I were president, he would be my minister for finance,” Wajackoyah said.

He further praised Wanjigi’s ability to execute plans, saying: “Jimi Wanjigi will make things work. He is an enforcer; he is a good man. His father played a role in my education.”

Wajackoyah also expressed admiration for Karua, describing the Narc-Kenya leader as tough, fearless and uncompromising on corruption.

“Martha Karua is an iron lady, a tough lady. If she gets the opportunity, she can be a good president,” he said.

“The goodness with Martha is that she is no-nonsense, she is like me. She will end corruption in two days. That toughness in her, it is only that Kenyans don’t see.”

On Maraga, Wajackoyah said the former Chief Justice’s honesty and straightforwardness made him one of the few leaders he could comfortably work with politically.

“Maraga is a good man, I can work with him; he is honest, transparent, and straightforward,” he said.

“People like Maraga and me, people may not like us because we are straightforward and we speak it the way it comes.”

The former presidential candidate also singled out a number of younger politicians whom he said represent the future of Kenya’s politics, including Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, Saboti MP Caleb Amisi and Siaya Governor James Orengo.

“Edwin Sifuna is a young man who is coming up well. I spoke with him today and let us encourage him. He has a future. Babu Owino, Caleb Amisi, and James Orengo have a future,” he said.

However, Wajackoyah took issue with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of promoting tribal politics.

“Rigathi is a leader, but I don’t agree with him because of tribal stuff. I am not here to come into the arithmetic of tribalism; I need proportional representation,” he said.

“I am personally tired of Rigathi’s rhetoric. I love Rigathi, but the kind of politics Rigathi is playing, I am not part of it.”

Wajackoyah also revisited his frosty relationship with former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, claiming the two clashed during the 2022 election period after Matiang’i criticised his push to legalise marijuana.

“During the election, Matiang’i had threatened to put me in jail when I spoke about weed,” Wajackoyah claimed.

“He issued a statement saying huyu mtu wa bangi tutaweka ndani. The following day, I told him to shut up.”

Despite the fallout, Wajackoyah said he remains open to engaging Matiang’i politically.

The Roots Party leader further claimed that he had become isolated within opposition circles following Raila Odinga’s exit from active opposition politics, alleging that some leaders never fully accepted him.

“Raila was my hero; he was the one who used to make me sit at that table,” he said.

“These fellows never liked me; to them, I was a mad man, I was a bhang smoker, sikuwa na chochote. Because of my popularity on the streets, they never wanted me to come in. After Raila went, wakaniacha.”

He nonetheless praised Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka for maintaining contact with him.

“I love Kalonzo, he will always call me for his meetings,” Wajackoyah said.

The remarks come amid growing political realignments and early coalition-building efforts ahead of the 2027 elections, with opposition figures increasingly positioning themselves around governance, corruption, economic reform and generational leadership debates.