The Influence of Campaign Financers on Kenya's Political Future

 We discussed the role of key advisors to Kenya's most powerful leaders. One viewer raised an interesting question: why didn’t I mention Jimmi Wanjigi, a figure closely associated with Raila Odinga? This question opened up a critical topic that Kenyans should closely examine: the financiers behind presidential campaigns. While this subject is controversial and may upset some supporters, it’s crucial for understanding the dynamics of political power in Kenya.

Jimmi Wanjigi is a billionaire businessman with significant influence in Kenya’s political landscape. In 2013, he played a key role in financing the Jubilee campaign, which successfully brought President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto into power. However, Wanjigi’s involvement in the campaign was unconventional for a businessman. Typically, financiers stay neutral, supporting both sides of the political divide to ensure they can do business regardless of the outcome. But Wanjigi leaned heavily toward Jubilee, signaling he had insider knowledge that would ensure their victory.

Wanjigi’s fortune was largely built during the Kibaki administration, and his deep connections within that government gave him access to key political and economic information. This allowed him to make strategic decisions, such as financing the Jubilee campaign, knowing that he would benefit from a friendly government. Wanjigi’s business model revolves around facilitating large-scale deals and earning commissions from government contracts, making his political investments potentially lucrative.

However, not all of Wanjigi’s deals have gone smoothly. Several high-profile projects, like the Greenfield Terminal project at JKIA, were initially awarded to companies associated with him, only to be canceled later. This suggests that his influence within the Jubilee government may not have been as secure as initially thought. Some sources suggest that Deputy President Ruto played a role in blocking these deals, further complicating Wanjigi’s position.

The cost of financing a presidential campaign in Kenya is astronomical, often running into billions of shillings. Wanjigi’s financial support for Jubilee in 2013 was a significant investment, one that would only pay off if Jubilee remained in power. When Raila Odinga’s team lost the 2013 elections, Wanjigi made an unexpected shift, aligning himself with the opposition in 2017.

This shift raises important questions about the role of campaign financiers in Kenyan politics. Wanjigi is not the only wealthy individual financing political campaigns, but his involvement highlights the influence that such financiers have over the political process. As future elections approach, it’s crucial for Kenyans to consider the interests of these financiers, whose motivations may not align with the needs of the general population.

Ultimately, the dependence on large-scale financial backing for presidential campaigns poses risks for Kenya’s democracy. The priorities of these financiers, driven by profit and political influence, often clash with the needs of ordinary citizens. The people financing Kenya’s elections hold considerable power, but this raises concerns about who truly benefits from the political system: the people or the powerful few.