Former Roots Party deputy presidential candidate Justina Wamae has launched a critique of Kenya’s job market, terming its structure fundamentally flawed and urging a radical overhaul.

In a post on her X account on Thursday, September 18, 2025, Wamae expressed frustration with inefficiencies in job creation, application processes and retention, highlighting her own experience with United Nations job applications.

Her remarks come amid growing concern over Kenya’s labour market, which continues to struggle with youth unemployment and ballooning public wage bills.

Frustration with job processes

Wamae wrote, “And to think that there was a time I used to WASTE my internet broadband, not bundles (they came the other day), and time to apply for those UN jobs, filling that PP sijui what form.”

“Something must be very wrong, not with me or my qualifications or experience but with the whole architecture of job creation, application, hiring, retention and longevity in Kenya.

“Need I explain further why we MUST order the disorder in our factors of production? Shindeni hapo na Madead horse zenyu!” She expressed her belief that the current system disadvantages even qualified applicants.

She also highlighted Nairobi County’s surging wage bill, noting that expenditure on salaries had risen from Ksh6 billion to Ksh17.3 billion as staff numbers increased from 5,777 to 16,321.

“Nairobi County’s wage bill has nearly tripled from Sh6 billion to Ksh17.3 billion as staff numbers rose from 5,777 to 16,321, limiting funds for development projects,” she stated, linking the increase to politically driven hirings.

On September 14, Wamae addressed the plight of young Kenyans, describing unpaid internships as “modern-day slavery” and urging policies to ensure companies offer paid positions. “Internships today are modern-day slavery,” she asserted.

“We should demand that policies and legislation must order the disorder in our factors of production so that companies can make profits to be in a position to hire PAID labour.”

Her remarks have intensified a national conversation on youth unemployment, with Wamae calling for structured labour frameworks and a focus on wealth creation over political divisions.

“Creating wealth for the nation of Kenya is the ONLY agenda, bigger than wantam and tutam shenanigans,” she concluded.

Policy focus

The critique followed Wamae’s September 16 announcement of plans to contest an elective seat in the 2027 elections.

She has vowed to remain non-aligned amid Kenya’s polarised “wantam” and “tutam” camps, instead emphasising a policy-driven campaign.

“It’s 2025; the issue of telling non-aligned politicians like myself to align with either Wantam or Tutam shenanigans is retrogressive,” she said. “Siasa ni Soko Huru. I will be on the ballot (if granted good health and a long life) to sell policy and legislative proposals. After all, let the people decide!”