Justina Wamae maps out road to fair pay, housing and end to police brutality
Former Roots Party presidential running mate Justina Wamae has called for bold solutions to some of Kenya’s most pressing challenges, including fair pay, housing and ending police brutality.
In a statement shared on her X account, Wamae said she had studied the People’s Demands and agreed that they were valid, but insisted that Kenyans must go beyond pointing out problems to crafting workable solutions.
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“Just came across the People’s Demands, which are very valid. But in the spirit of problem-solving together, probably you could make proposals as to how this can be achieved,” she wrote.
Wamae said Kenyans needed to push for the scrapping of taxation on basic commodities and called for a national conversation on what should be classified as essential goods.
She questioned how the country could end foreign interference from global institutions such as the IMF, NATO and the World Bank, saying Kenya needed to rethink its reliance on external actors. She further challenged leaders to ensure Article 43 of the Constitution, which guarantees rights such as health care, housing, education and food, is implemented within six months.
“Scrap taxation on basic commodities (In your opinion, what should be classified as basic commodities?) 2. End foreign interference: IMF, NATO, World Bank (How might we do this?) 3. Implement Article 43 in 6 months (Could you propose the road map?) 4. Ensure housing for all (How do we make this a reality?)” Wamae questioned.
On housing, she pressed for practical ways to make decent shelter a reality for all citizens while also urging the government to support traders and local systems that sustain the economy.
On the issue of security, Wamae stressed the need to end police brutality through professionalism, independence and respect for the law.
She also raised concern over the grabbing of public land and state corporations by elites and asked whether reclaiming them should follow the constitutional path through the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission or take a different approach.
She added that fair pay for essential workers must be guaranteed, asking how the country might raise the necessary funds to sustain it. She was categorical that privatisation of forests, water and other public assets must be stopped.
“End violence and police brutality (Through professionalism and independence of the police while following the law, yes?) 7. Reclaim all public land and parastatals stolen by the elite (Do we follow the EACC, a constitutional body path, or what do you propose?) 8. Fair pay for all essential workers (How might we fund this?) 9. Stop privatisation of forest, water and public assets,” she declared.
Article 43 of the Constitution, which she referenced, affirms that every Kenyan has the right to the highest attainable standard of health, accessible and adequate housing, reasonable standards of sanitation, freedom from hunger, clean and safe water and education.
