Tycoon Jimmy Wanjigi Declares His 2022 Presidential Bid

Billionaire Jimmy Wanjigi has joined the race to succeed President Kenyatta in 2022.

Wanjigi told The Standard that he will not play the kingmaker role this time rround, declaring that his name will be on the ballot next year.

“Let me confirm that I shall be in active politics and will not be playing my previous role as a kingmaker,” said Wanjigi.

He added: “I shall address the rest of your questions at the appropriate juncture.”

The tycoon is one of the most influential power brokers in the country and is credited for devising the alliance between President Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto in the run-up to the 2013 general election. He was also a key financier of the UhuRuto campaigns.

“This current regime of Uhuru Kenyatta, this is a home they know. It is a home they have visited. It is a home they have eaten with my family. In fact, their government was formed in this home,” Wanjigi told journalists after his Muthaiga home was raided by police in 2017.

Wanjigi fell out with the government before 2017 and joined ODM leader Raila Odinga’s team. He is said to have bankrolled the National Super Alliance (Nasa) 2017 campaigns.

He is the son of Maina Wanjigi, a wealthy politician who served in the late former President Daniel Moi’s administration.
 
While he may not have the political clout of other presidential hopefuls like William Ruto, Raila Odinga, and Musalia Mudavadi, he certainly has the financial muscle to match any of them.