Good governance advocate and Safina Party Deputy Leader Willis Otieno has rejected claims that the Jimi Wanjigi-led party is a state project, insisting that the party’s decision to remain outside major political coalitions is guided by principle rather than political convenience.

In a post on X on Sunday, June 28, 2026, Otieno responded to comments by an X user identified as Henry Atemi, who questioned why Safina appeared reluctant to work with other opposition parties ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Atemi wrote:

“It’s absurd that Safina thinks it can make it to power without working with other opposition leaders… there’s a big possibility that it’s a state project.”

Willis Otieno responds

Responding to the claim, Otieno said Safina’s political philosophy differs from that of parties that prioritise coalition building before agreeing on policy positions.

“Calling SAFINA a ‘state project’ because we refuse to join every political coalition is exactly the kind of politics that has kept Kenya trapped. To us, principles come before coalitions,” Otieno wrote.

He added that the party remains open to working with individuals, political parties and civic movements that share its policy priorities.

“We will work with individuals, parties, and movements that are genuinely committed to rebuilding Kenya’s economy, ending corruption, and putting ordinary citizens first.”

However, he ruled out joining alliances whose primary objective is power-sharing.

“What we will not do is join alliances formed merely to share power, distribute positions, or satisfy political egos.

“Kenyans have watched too many grand coalitions unite politicians while the people remain unemployed, overtaxed, and burdened by debt.”

Otieno concluded by saying Safina intends to build its politics around ideas rather than personalities.

“If standing on principle before negotiating makes us different, so be it. We are building a movement around ideas, not personalities.”

Opposition differences

Otieno’s remarks come weeks after Safina Party leader Jimi Wanjigi publicly distanced his party from an alternative budget unveiled by opposition leaders.

Speaking during a media briefing, Wanjigi argued that the opposition’s proposed “People’s Budget” closely resembled the fiscal framework presented by National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi.

He criticised the proposal for retaining taxation, borrowing and debt accumulation, saying it did not offer Kenyans a fundamentally different economic direction.

Instead, Wanjigi unveiled what he described as a “compromise budget”, proposing measures such as replacing Value Added Tax (VAT) with a five per cent sales tax, ending domestic borrowing, introducing free universal healthcare, expanding free education and restructuring public debt.

Despite those policy differences, Wanjigi said he remained willing to work with any political formation that presents what he considers a credible plan to revive Kenya’s economy.

By the time of publication, neither Henry Atemi nor any government official had publicly provided evidence to support the claim that the Safina Party is a state project.

Similarly, the party has not announced whether it intends to join any political coalition ahead of the 2027 General Election.

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