Former Roots Party presidential running mate Justina Wamae has launched a new political outfit, Imarisha Uchumi Party (IUP), with an agriculture-led economic transformation and youth employment at the centre of its agenda.
Wamae launched the party in Utawala, Nairobi, on Sunday, saying IUP would seek to revive Kenya’s economy through increased investment in agriculture while creating employment opportunities for young people.
“We shall allocate 25 of our national budget to agriculture,” she said.
Wamae said her administration would prioritise agriculture as a key driver of economic growth, arguing that greater investment in the sector would help create jobs and strengthen livelihoods.
She also pledged to expand the National Youth Service (NYS) to all 290 constituencies if elected President.
Wamae identified youth unemployment as one of her top priorities, promising to establish a system in which young people could access employment opportunities transparently without relying on personal connections.
She said young Kenyans should not have to know “someone somewhere” to secure employment opportunities.
The launch marks Wamae’s latest attempt to establish an independent political platform after her high-profile entry into national politics in the run-up to the 2022 General Election.
She was selected by Roots Party leader Prof George Wajackoyah as his running mate in the 2022 presidential election. The ticket finished third in the presidential race.
However, Wamae resigned from the Roots Party on September 22, 2022, following disagreements with Wajackoyah and subsequently pursued an independent political path.
During the 2022 campaign, Wamae was part of the Roots Party ticket that campaigned on an unconventional economic agenda, including a proposal to formalise and export cannabis as a source of revenue.
She later founded the Inatuhusu Movement, an initiative focused on encouraging young people, women and mothers to participate in leadership and elective politics.
The launch of IUP adds to the growing number of political parties and formations emerging ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Kenya currently has about 90 registered political parties, with new outfits seeking to carve out space in an increasingly competitive political landscape.
Wamae, who previously contested the Mavoko parliamentary seat as an independent candidate, did not disclose during the launch which political faction she intends to work with ahead of the 2027 elections.
Her political positioning is expected to attract attention as parties and alliances continue to take shape ahead of the polls.
Wamae holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Management Information Systems from Daystar University, a graduate diploma from the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply and a master’s degree in Procurement and Logistics from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.
