Jimi Wanjigi Emerges as the New Face of Kenya’s Opposition Amid Raila Odinga’s Exit

Businessman Jimi Wanjigi is poised to become the new face of the opposition following the exit of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. Lawyer Willis Otieno, a key legal representative of Wanjigi, announced this development during an appearance on Citizen TV’s Daybreak program. Otieno emphasized that with Odinga stepping back from active Kenyan politics to focus on his bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship, Wanjigi is set to take on the mantle of opposition leadership.

For many years, Raila Odinga has been a central figure in Kenyan politics, known for his relentless pursuit of the presidency, with five unsuccessful attempts, including in the 2022 general election where he was defeated by President William Ruto. Despite the controversial election outcome and an unsuccessful Supreme Court petition challenging the results, Odinga has remained a stalwart of the opposition, shaping the political discourse in the country.

However, Odinga’s recent announcement of his intention to vie for the AUC chairmanship signals a new chapter in his political career. If successful, Odinga would serve as the AUC Chair from 2025 to 2028, representing the African continent on a global stage. During a press briefing in Nairobi, Odinga acknowledged the transition, stating, “I will not be very active in Kenyan politics henceforth as I shift my attention to the continental campaigns. It is a transitional phase from active participation in Kenyan politics to a focus on African continental politics.”

This transition marks a profound change in the opposition’s dynamics, with Otieno asserting that Wanjigi is well-positioned to lead the opposition movement. “Jimi Wanjigi is now the face of opposition in this country… (Odinga) has left him to take care of the opposition. We are about to transition into a new era of politics whereas Raila has been used as a bogeyman for the opposition, we are now moving into issue-based politics,” Otieno remarked.

Wanjigi, who leads the Safina Party, has been a controversial figure in Kenyan politics, recently embroiled in a tussle with the state over allegations of sponsoring youth-led anti-government demonstrations. Additionally, he faces accusations of illegal firearm possession, a matter that has seen him at odds with law enforcement. Despite these challenges, Wanjigi’s influence within the opposition appears to be solidifying, with Otieno expressing confidence in the state of the opposition under Wanjigi’s leadership.

The legal battles surrounding Wanjigi have been notable, with the High Court recently intervening in his favor. Justice Bahati Mwamuye temporarily suspended Wanjigi’s prosecution over the alleged illegal possession of firearms, staying all criminal proceedings and ordering the firearms licensing board not to revoke any certificates issued to him. Wanjigi has consistently maintained that the charges against him are politically motivated, a sentiment echoed by his legal team.

As Kenya’s political landscape evolves, the potential impact of Odinga’s exit from active politics is significant. Otieno described Odinga as “the most consequential politician in the country since independence,” noting that his influence has shaped the nation’s political developments more than any other leader. Odinga’s departure from the national political scene to pursue a continental role leaves a considerable void, one that Wanjigi now seems poised to fill.

Rwanda’s Paul Kagame and Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni are among the regional leaders who have endorsed Odinga’s bid for the AUC chairmanship. Should Odinga succeed, his focus will shift entirely to continental politics, paving the way for Wanjigi to redefine the opposition in Kenya.

In this new era of Kenyan politics, the shift from a Raila Odinga-dominated opposition to one potentially led by Jimi Wanjigi signals a transition towards issue-based politics, as envisioned by Wanjigi’s legal team. The coming months will be critical in determining how Wanjigi navigates the complexities of opposition leadership, especially in the face of ongoing legal and political challenges.