Former Roots Party deputy presidential candidate Justina Wamae has criticised the business experience of Kenyan politicians, saying it is largely limited to government tenders and supplies.

In a statement shared on her X account on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, Wamae argued that many elected leaders enter office without having interacted with the broader economy.

She said their exposure is often limited to connections that allow them to benefit from government contracts rather than understanding the realities of running independent businesses.

According to Wamae, this narrow experience leaves leaders out of touch with the challenges ordinary entrepreneurs face.

She emphasised that real business knowledge requires engagement with the market, dealing with production, competition, and financial management outside of government support.

“The problem we have in Kenya is that those who win elections:- through campaigns za kataa na shoka na chama inakula) ONLY experience in business is Government supplies and TENDERS. They are yet to interact with the economy outside the factor of unproductive CONNECTIONS. Hence, they are out of touch with the reality on the ground on the challenges of doing business in Kenya,” Wamae stated.

This comes days after she challenged the notion that winning Kenya’s presidency requires joining a pre-election coalition.

In a statement shared on her X account on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, Wamae said such arrangements often end in bitter fallouts that hurt national unity and distract leaders from delivering services.

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She argued that forcing a coalition before votes are cast can trigger accusations of betrayal and make politics toxic. The focus, she emphasised, should be on progressive leadership, good governance, and service delivery, not just electoral victory.

“Who says that to win the presidential election in Kenya, you MUST be in a pre-election coalition? Yes, it has been done in the past, but you know, fallout follows soon after. With accusations of betrayal and counteraccusations, which is TOXIC to the nation. Case in time, Kibaki-Raila. The end game should not just be about winning the election, but to ensure progressive leadership, good governance and service delivery to Kenyans. If it means forcing a runoff, so be it? We can see what a post-election coalition pact will do for the country,” Wamae said.