Justina Wamae: Ruto lost Kenyans by overpromising
By Nancy Marende, July 9, 2025Former Roots Party presidential running mate Justina Wamae has stated that President William Ruto lost the trust of Kenyans by overpromising with the Bottom-Up Economic Agenda.
Speaking at a local TV station on July 9, 2025, Wamae stated that the head of state failed to explain to Kenyans how he would fulfill the promises made during the 2022 electioneering period.
“The president lost people in overpromising. Remember, he was telling people about a bottom-up economy, but he did not explain to Kenyans how they would pull their weight up,” she stated.
Furthermore, she stated that the president is now struggling to meet the expectations of Kenyans regarding what he promised but has not delivered.
“President Ruto is now battling the weight of public expectations. With the economy struggling and politics the only thriving arena, he is fiercely protecting his position, sensing that people want to push him away from the ‘meat,’ which has made him increasingly aggressive,” she added.
Wamae on solutions
This comes a day after Wamae 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.
“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.