Jimi Wanjigi’s dream of succeeding President Uhuru Kenyatta was on Monday, June 6, 2022, shattered after the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) disqualified him for failing to meet the academic qualifications requirement.
The tycoon, instead of providing a degree certificate for clearance, attached transcripts to prove that he attended university.
IEBC Chairperson Wafula Chebukati also noted that the aspirant failed to submit the required 48,000 signatures from at least 24 counties.
The Monday date with IEBC dealt a death blow to the Safina party aspirant’s hopes of succeeding President Uhuru Kenyatta in August.
But this was not the first disappointment the shrewd businessman has suffered for choosing politics over his multibillion business empire.
Denied ODM ticket
Before joining the Paul Muite-led Safina party in March 2022, Wanjigi was a loyal member of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party and a close confidant of its leader Raila Odinga.
He fell out with the party leadership after a failed attempt to clinch the ODM ticket.
The silent kingmaker from the Mt Kenya region was among several candidates who were opposed to the former Prime Minister flying the ODM flag in the August poll.
He severed links with the party after calls to have the party choose the presidential flag bearer through a ‘democratic’ process were ignored.
The businessman was on February 26, 2022, roughed up by ODM supporters while trying to gain access to Kasarani stadium where the party was holding its National Delegates Convention (NDC).
Kwacha Offices raided
Wanjigi’s Kwacha Offices located along General Mathenge Road in Westlands, Nairobi, were raided by security officers in January 2022.
The state later said the night raid was part of investigations into land grabbing allegations against the businessman.
The aspirant, however, dismissed the claims further alleging that the state was out to frustrate him for opposing Raila’s bid for the presidency.
Wanjigi guns saga
Wanjigi has severally been arrested for allegedly holding firearms illegally.
He was first arrested in the run-up to the 2017 polls and seven firearms were recovered from his palatial home in Muthaiga, Nairobi. He was at the time supporting the National Super Alliance (NASA) coalition led by Raila.
The arrest, Wanjigi claimed, was politically instigated.
In 2019, Justice Chacha Mwita ruled that the State acted irrationally by carting away Wanjigi’s guns while he still held a valid license.
The case has been dragging in court with Wanjigi accusing the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) boss of refusing to release the guns. The back and forth saw Kinoti sentenced to four months in prison in November last year. The sentencing was later lifted.
Court cases
The guns case is among several suits Wanjigi is battling in court. He has been accused of grabbing the land where his Kwacha Offices seat.
Wanjigi’s motorcade attacked in Migori
On September 17, 2021, Wanjigi’s motorcade was stoned in Migori while on a campaign trail.
The tycoon was in the area regarded as Raila’s stronghold to popularise his presidential bid.
The politician had just started speaking from the sunroof of his four-wheel-drive vehicle when youths started hurling stones at him. He had to take cover to save his skin before his driver sped off.
