Wamae says runoff in presidential elections better than post-election bickering
Former Roots Party presidential running mate Justina Wamae has suggested that Kenya should allow all qualified presidential candidates to contest freely without being compelled to agree on a single candidate before elections.
According to Wamae, forcing a runoff would be a healthier democratic option than pre-election negotiations that often result in fragile coalitions and post-election disputes.
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In a statement on Sunday, August 24, 2025, Wamae argued that in the event of a runoff, the principals could come together based on the number of votes garnered, as well as the strength of their ideologies and manifestos, which would be reflected in the people’s choice.
“I’m of the view that WE shouldn’t even agree on a candidate; let everyone who wants to vie as president and actually qualifies to do so vie. Force a runoff, then the principals come together based on votes received in addition to the popularity of ideology and manifesto, which will be indicated by how Kenyans vote for it,” she stated.
Further, she stated that such an arrangement would foster respect in post-election coalitions and prevent a repeat of the political instability witnessed in the past.
She drew parallels with the Kibaki–Raila fallout of 2003, which eventually contributed to the 2007 post-election violence.
“A runoff is a small cost to forfeit as opposed to constant bickering by disgruntled principals, i.e., if we want a return of Kibaki-Raila 2003 shenanigans, which led to the 2007 PEV and lack of peace by the citizens,” she added.
According to Wamae, Kenya must avoid returning to a situation where disgruntled principals engage in endless political bickering, undermining governance and peace.
She also dismissed concerns about the cost of a runoff, pointing out that while the 2017 repeat election cost taxpayers Ksh10.3 billion, it was still a better price to pay than the instability caused by unresolved post-election disagreements.
“For context, the 2017 rerun cost the taxpayers Ksh10.3B. What was allocated for the 2022 runoff or rerun was not unbundled, but because the money was there, where did it go? Either way, hakuna saving,” she stated.
