Speaking ahead of the 2027 General Election, Wanjigi said that Kenya’s most significant political deals are rarely made in official government offices or party headquarters, but instead in private residences located in upscale Nairobi estates such as Karen, Runda, Muthaiga, and Lavington.
He argued that these secluded meetings are where the real political negotiations happen—far away from cameras, public rallies, and media scrutiny.
“Backroom meetings are about one thing, the presidency. They’re not publicized or hyped. If you see photos online, that’s just for show,” Wanjigi said.
According to him, such gatherings bring together key political actors, strategists, and power brokers who quietly shape election outcomes, distribute influence, and negotiate alliances that later define government formations.
Wanjigi, who played a visible role in the 2013 political realignments that led to the formation of the Jubilee coalition, said he has firsthand experience of how these negotiations are conducted behind closed doors.
He claimed that some of the most consequential political discussions in Kenya’s recent history took place in private settings, only becoming public after agreements had already been finalized and implemented.
“We reshaped the country’s politics in my house. No one knew what was going on until we fell out politically,” he said.
Wanjigi further suggested that many of the political arrangements that eventually brought together former President Uhuru Kenyatta and then Deputy President William Ruto were products of intense behind-the-scenes negotiations long before they were publicly confirmed.
While he did not provide documentary evidence for his claims, Wanjigi maintained that such processes are a normal part of Kenyan politics, where informal networks often influence formal political decisions.
He noted that these private discussions are often justified by supporters as necessary for breaking political deadlocks and building consensus, especially when formal institutions struggle to achieve agreement among competing interests.
However, critics argue that such secretive arrangements undermine transparency and limit public participation in democratic decision-making, raising concerns about accountability in the formation of national leadership.
As Kenya moves closer to the 2027 elections, Wanjigi warned that similar behind-the-scenes negotiations are already underway and will likely intensify as political players position themselves for power.
He predicted that, just like in previous election cycles, the final political alignments will only become clear shortly before campaigns officially begin or even after key deals have already been concluded.
The remarks add to growing public debate over how Kenya’s political coalitions are formed and the extent to which citizens are involved in shaping decisions that ultimately determine the country’s leadership direction.
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