Sunday 11th October, 2026 05:43 PM|
By Kenneth Mwenda
Jimi Wanjigi during a past function. PHOTO/Dorcas Mbatia
Safina Party leader Jimi Wanjigi has vowed to lead Kenyans out of what he describes as debt slavery, pledging to pursue economic reforms as he positions himself ahead of the 2027 general election.
Wanjigi said it was unacceptable for 80 per cent of tax revenue to go towards debt repayment, arguing that the country needed to break away from a borrowing cycle that he believes is undermining economic prosperity.
In a statement shared on X on Sunday, October 11, 2026, the businessman called on Kenyans to demand change, promising to lead the country towards economic freedom.
“80% of tax revenue going to debt repayment is unacceptable! Kenyans we must be decisive and resoundingly say enough is enough. I will lead Kenya from this debt slavery!” Wanjigi stated.
“Let’s break the debt chains and free ourselves to economic prosperity,” he added.
The latest remarks build on Wanjigi’s previous calls for a comprehensive audit of Kenya’s public debt, with the Safina Party leader arguing that the country must establish whether all its borrowing was legally authorised and properly accounted for.
In August 2026, Wanjigi said he would suspend debt payments on his first day in office if elected president and immediately commission a forensic audit to establish how loans were obtained and how the funds were spent.
He proposed completing the exercise within six months, arguing that the findings would help determine which obligations were legally incurred and which could qualify as what he termed odious debt.
“The anchor is that we shall suspend all debt payments day one and immediately commission a forensic debt audit,” he said during an interview on August.
Wanjigi has also argued that debts not approved by Parliament or included in the national budget should be subjected to scrutiny rather than automatically treated as sovereign obligations.
In July, he maintained that Kenya’s Constitution and laws should guide decisions on the country’s borrowing and repayment obligations.
Statement on Kenya’s debt burden and pledge to lead the country out of debt slavery. PHOTO/Screengrab by PD Digital/@JimmyWanjigi/X
Kenya’s debt burden
Kenya’s public debt has remained a major concern in budget discussions, with debt servicing taking up a substantial share of government resources.
Wanjigi has previously warned that Kenya’s debt burden could continue weighing on the economy for years unless the government changes its approach to borrowing and repayment.
In May 2026, he argued that debt servicing was leaving the government with limited resources for development and essential public services. He also said changing political leadership alone would not resolve the problem without addressing the accumulated debt.
The Safina Party leader has presented economic reform, accountability in public borrowing and greater financial independence as central to his political agenda.
Kenneth Mwenda
Kenneth Mwenda is a business, sports, and politics digital writer with over seven years of experience in journalism, covering breaking news, feature stories, and in-depth analysis across a range of beats.
For inquiries, he can be reached at [email protected]
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