Roots Party leader George Wajackoyah has confirmed that he will contest the 2027 presidential election, insisting that his campaign is already taking shape at the grassroots.
Wajackoyah made the declaration during an interview on K24 on Monday, saying he was confident he would secure a place on the ballot despite his limited presence in opinion polls.
“I’m on the ballot. I’m running for president,” he said.
Wajackoyah shifts focus from polls to grassroots
The former presidential candidate said he had changed his approach since the 2022 General Election, when he emerged as one of four candidates who successfully went through the presidential nomination process.
Wajackoyah finished third in the 2022 election with 61,969 votes, according to results declared by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.
He said his current campaign was focused less on opinion polls and more on direct engagement with voters across the country.
“The fear has been with the polls; those polls that run around have never mentioned my name, but I’m not campaigning from them. I’m campaigning within the population and the people of the Republic of Kenya,” he said.
According to Wajackoyah, his strategy is to build support among ordinary voters rather than rely on his visibility on social media or his position in opinion surveys.
Why Wajackoyah says he left Facebook
The Roots Party leader also explained his reduced presence on Facebook, saying he had deliberately stepped away from the platform to concentrate on physical mobilisation.
“I am campaigning, I’m on the ground and that’s why I’ve even gone off Facebook,” he said.
His remarks point to a campaign strategy centred on grassroots meetings and direct interaction with potential voters as political parties and presidential hopefuls begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 election.
Wajackoyah rejects need for opposition alliance
Wajackoyah also dismissed suggestions that he would need to join one of the emerging opposition coalitions to strengthen his presidential bid.
He said the Roots Party remains a registered political party with its own presidential candidate and indicated that he had not been approached by the United Alternative Government, an umbrella formation bringing together several politicians positioning themselves for the 2027 contest.
“I have not been approached,” he said when asked about the possibility of joining the group.
His position sets him apart from several politicians who have been exploring alliances and coalition arrangements ahead of the election.
He challenges rivals to campaign with him
Wajackoyah further challenged his political opponents to share platforms with him, arguing that doing so would give voters an opportunity to assess the strength of his support.
“My opponents are very afraid to invite me in their congregations,” he said.
The challenge comes as political activity intensifies ahead of the 2027 polls, with presidential hopefuls increasingly seeking to build regional and grassroots networks.
From 2022 novelty to 2027 comeback
Wajackoyah attracted significant national attention during the 2022 presidential election with his unconventional campaign platform, including proposals around the legalisation of marijuana and snake farming.
He ultimately received 61,969 votes, finishing behind William Ruto, Raila Odinga and David Waihiga.
Four years later, he is seeking another chance at the presidency, this time betting on grassroots mobilisation and direct voter engagement.
His declaration adds another name to an increasingly crowded field of politicians preparing for the 2027 presidential race, even as alliances and political formations continue to take shape.
