Safina Party leader Jimi Wanjigi has warned that the opposition’s popular slogan “Ruto must go” has been weakened through overuse and political opportunism, calling instead for a shift toward issue-based campaigning ahead of the 2027 General Election.
In an interview with the Daily Nation, Wanjigi argued that the slogan has lost traction, having been repeatedly invoked by politicians without translating into tangible solutions for ordinary Kenyans. He urged opposition leaders to unite around policies that address key challenges such as unemployment, taxation, and the rising cost of living.
“‘Ruto must go’ has been watered down because it has been used as a political tool rather than a call for meaningful change,” Wanjigi said. “It is time for the opposition to offer real solutions that improve the livelihoods of Kenyans.”
Wanjigi noted that President William Ruto’s credibility took a hit during the 2024 Finance Bill protests, where public dissatisfaction over taxation policies and economic management became evident. He said that the next general election is likely to be shaped more by competing economic agendas than by ethnic voting patterns, emphasizing the need for substantive policy discourse.
As part of his vision, Wanjigi is promoting Safina’s FIST Agenda, which proposes free primary and secondary education, universal healthcare, and a shift from the current VAT system to a sales tax. He describes these reforms as the foundation of “economic liberation” for Kenyan citizens, aimed at empowering individuals and promoting inclusive growth.
The Safina leader stressed that opposition unity should be grounded in practical economic strategies rather than slogans, warning that rhetoric without policy risks alienating voters ahead of one of the country’s most consequential elections.