Former Roots Party deputy presidential candidate Justina Wamae has officially entered the 2027 presidential race, unveiling a new political party and promising to abolish the Affordable Housing Levy if elected.
Wamae made the announcement on Sunday, October 25, during the launch of the Imarisha Uchumi Party (IUP) in Nairobi, declaring her intention to contest the presidency under the slogan “Inatuhusu”.
“I, Justina Wamae, officially declare my bid for the presidency under the IUP. I was a member of TNA in 2017 and a running mate in 2022, but in both instances I realised I was just a member, without any say,” she said.
Wamae said the party, which received its full registration certificate on October 15, intends to field candidates in all elective positions.
She said she was open to working with like-minded opposition leaders but insisted that any political alliance must be based on shared ideas and an economic agenda rather than the pursuit of power alone.
A key plank of her platform is reforming the affordable housing programme introduced under President William Ruto’s administration.
Wamae pledged to abolish the Affordable Housing Levy and refund contributions to Kenyans who no longer wish to participate in the homeownership scheme.
“We will sell those affordable houses on mortgage to Kenyans who wish to continue paying and refund monies to those who have already contributed and want to stop,” she said.
She added that contributors seeking refunds should receive their money with interest, with the rate determined in consultation with the Central Bank of Kenya and the National Treasury.
On electoral reforms, Wamae criticised the failure to livestream election processes, arguing that broadcasting proceedings would strengthen accountability and public confidence in election results.
The businesswoman and politician previously contested the 2022 General Election as the running mate to Roots Party leader George Wajackoyah.
Their ticket garnered 61,969 votes in the presidential race.
Wamae holds a bachelor’s degree in Purchasing and Supplies Management from Daystar University and a Master of Business Administration in Strategic Management from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.
Before joining politics, she worked in marketing and supply chain management and founded businesses in the freight and logistics sector.
She was previously associated with The National Alliance (TNA) in 2017, when she sought the party’s nomination for Nairobi Woman Representative but did not secure the ticket.
