Justina Wamae calls on leaders to deliver tangible solutions to Kenyans
Former Roots Party presidential running mate Justina Wamae has criticised Kenya’s political leadership for what she terms a failure to provide practical, economic solutions to the challenges facing millions of Kenyans.
In a statement on July 8, 2025, Wamae criticised both elected and appointed leaders for focusing on dialogue and political theatrics instead of addressing the real issues affecting citizens, particularly unemployment and economic hardship.
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“Kenyans do not eat national dialogue; they need legal money-making opportunities, which you, who are elected and appointed, while drawing large salaries and allowances, have failed to shape and influence policies and legislation to this effect,” she stated.
She accused government officials and legislators of enjoying hefty salaries and allowances while failing to do the work they were entrusted with, especially in shaping laws and policies that could stimulate job creation, investment, and youth empowerment.
“The best thing you can do is get your brains working and give the country the much-needed solution. Asking Kenyans to give you solutions as you eat their taxes in the form of salaries and allowances is borderline disdain,” she stated.
Furthermore, Wamae questioned the competence of current officeholders across the Executive, Parliament, and even appointed technocrats, who, she said, have not demonstrated the capacity to address the nation’s urgent needs.
“Ama, it is safe to say all of you in Parliament and the Executive, including the experts who joined the Bread-based government, were not the right people for the job?”
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Intergenerational National Conclave
Her remarks come hours after former Prime Minister Raila Odinga called for an “Intergenerational National Conclave” to discuss issues raised by Kenyans as the country marked the 35th anniversary of the Saba Saba, amid protests in various parts of the country.
Speaking on Monday, July 7, 2025, during the Saba Saba commemoration at Serena Hotel, Odinga said Kenyans are yearning for leadership and programs that advance economic fairness, social justice, and political freedom.
He decried that the country is suffering from a lack of responsive institutions, underfunded public services, a compromised judiciary, and an inefficient executive.
“There is no doubt that the country is yearning for legislation that makes our institutions more responsive, programs that ensure adequate funding for services that touch wananchi, changes that make our judiciary free, efficient, and progressive, and measures that make the executive more accountable and efficient,” he said.
He said the inclusive intergenerational national conclave should gather views from all sections of society and develop a binding reform agenda.
“I propose an inclusive intergenerational national conclave to hear our people across all divides and come up with irreducible reforms and changes necessary to take the country forward,” he said.
The call for dialogue follows renewed anti-government protests led by a frustrated youth population decrying high taxes, unemployment, corruption, and repeated police brutality. Youths led by Gen Z have recently held protests across the country against what they describe as a failing system, rampant police brutality, abductions, and extrajudicial killings.
