Businessman Jimi Wanjigi is a man well-known Kenyan in political circles.
He has played diverse roles in Kenya's politics both in the opposition and the government.
He admits, and so are those privy to the developments, that he had a big role in ensuring Deputy President William Ruto and President Uhuru Kenyatta team up to form government in the 2013 polls.
In 2017, however, he switched camps and became an integral member of ODM leader Raila Odinga's campaign team that was seeking to topple the incumbent Uhuru in the then General Elections.
The tycoon, who is eyeing the presidency for the first time in his life, had before never joined a political contest as a candidate or as an aspirant.
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In an interview with NTV, the businessman revealed that it is Raila who urged him to join politics.
He said the ODM leader told him that he was to quit politics hence his decision to venture into the game in which he has been playing backroom roles.
He opined that Raila was forced to run for the seat saying that the ODM leader had assured him that he will retire.
"Raila advised me to join politics, he said he was retiring. He told me that he had helped the country enough and it was time for another generation to take over. I don't know who, but I think someone is pushing him," he told NTV.
Wanjigi is eyeing the presidency on a Safina party ticket.
He has, however, shown interest in working with Deputy President William Ruto whom he invited at his party's NDC that saw him backed for the top seat.
