Justina Wamae: Early 2027 declarations show political virginity
By Nancy Marende, October 2, 2025Former Roots Party running mate Justina Wamae has criticised politicians rushing to announce their ambitions for the 2027 General Election, describing them as “political virgins.”
In a statement on Thursday, October 2, 2025, Wamae said those making early declarations are yet to grasp the realities of Kenya’s unpredictable political landscape.
“Anybody declaring now the position they will vie for in 2027 is simply a political virgin. They are yet to be deflowered by the curse of early declaration,” she stated.
Ironically, Wamae had earlier announced her plan to contest in 2027.
Her remarks come a few days after People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua officially declared her presidential bid, pledging to serve only one term if elected.
Karua’s bid
Speaking at the party’s National Delegates Conference on Friday, September 27, 2025, at Ufungamano House, Karua framed her campaign as a fight for justice, unity, and the dignity of all Kenyans.
The veteran politician framed her candidacy as a commitment to public service rather than personal ambition.
“Today, I declare my candidacy for the presidency of the Republic of Kenya under the banner of the People’s Liberation Party and within a united opposition. We make this declaration not out of mere ambition for office but out of devotion to service,” Karua told party delegates and guests.
Karua positioned her campaign against what she described as the incumbent regime’s corruption, impunity, and failure to serve citizens.
In a historic declaration, Karua stated that she would only seek a one-term presidency if Kenyans elect her in the 2027 General Election.
“We are one people, one purpose, one term. One people, one purpose, one term. So that others don’t think one term is abusive language, I stand before you to tell you that we must demystify power. In Kenya, in East Africa and in Africa, people get to power and they refuse to leave power. Martha Karua, yours truly, is seeking a single term, one term,” she told the delegates amid claps.
The former lawmaker explained that she holds the belief that in five years, it is possible to lay a foundation for the next government to build on and lay groundwork for successive administrations.
“Nobody will ever finish the job of making Kenya prosperous. So I want to open by saying I will be seeking one term. No more exclusion,” she added.