NAIROBI, Kenya – Presidential hopeful Boniface Mwangi has said he is willing to work with political leaders seeking to remove President William Ruto from power, but warned that political alliances will not shield them from scrutiny over past actions.
Speaking during an interview with Citizen TV, the Ukweli Party leader said cooperation could be necessary to achieve a shared political objective, but should not be mistaken for forgiveness for alleged corruption or other wrongdoing.
“Let us work together to remove Ruto, and then we prosecute you for the money you stole,” Mwangi said, adding that working together would not absolve anyone of past conduct.
He said political partnerships should be guided by the need to end killings, recover allegedly stolen public money and hold leaders accountable, regardless of their political affiliations.
Mwangi Proposes 90-Day Amnesty For Stolen Wealth
Mwangi also proposed a 90-day moratorium during which people who had stolen public money or land could return the assets in exchange for forgiveness or amnesty.
“Anyone who has stolen any money in this country can return the money in exchange for forgiveness,” he said, adding that those who had illegally acquired land should also be allowed to return it.
His proposal raises questions about how such an amnesty would operate, including its legal framework, the treatment of criminal offences and whether any forgiveness could be granted without following the law.
Mwangi said some leaders who previously worked with Ruto had since changed their position and now believed the President should be removed from office.
Comparing their change of political position to the biblical transformation of Saul into Paul, he urged opposition figures to unite around their shared objective while maintaining a commitment to accountability.
Mwangi Vows To Keep Government In Check If He Loses
The presidential hopeful said he would continue challenging the government and holding it accountable even if he fails to win the 2027 General Election.
Mwangi, who said he is 43, argued that Kenya would still need an active opposition after the election, regardless of who becomes President.
“Kenya does not end the day after the election. There is going to be a need for the people’s opposition; there is going to be a need for someone to hold the government accountable, and I will continue with that work,” he said.
He added that he was confident Kenyans would become more familiar with him as the campaign progresses.
Mwangi Says Kenyans Have Donated Sh8 Million To Campaign
Mwangi revealed that his presidential campaign had received about Sh8 million in donations from Kenyans, saying the campaign relied heavily on volunteers to reach voters across the country.
He said hundreds of volunteers had offered their time and skills without pay as he seeks to campaign in all 47 counties.
According to Mwangi, the number of people offering voluntary support exceeds the financial contributions received so far. He said supporters send donations directly through a personal number set aside for the campaign.
Mwangi said he provides donors with reports detailing how their contributions are spent, although he questioned whether the process should be opened to everyone, arguing that wider access could invite political interference.
However, he acknowledged that campaign financing needed transparency to prevent donors from using their contributions to seek favours from candidates who win elections.
“Campaign funding is also something that must be open because people would want to know whether there are any underhand deals,” he said, adding that candidates should publish their campaign expenditure.
He warned that financial support could create obligations for a future government if donors expected favourable decisions in return for their contributions.
Why Mwangi Is Betting On Town Halls Over Rallies
Mwangi said he was unlikely to rely on the large political rallies commonly associated with Kenyan election campaigns.
Instead, he plans to prioritise community meetings, town halls, churches and chamas to engage voters directly.
“It is highly unlikely that you will see me on top of a car. You will see me in community meetings, town halls, churches and chamas,” he said.
He argued that large rallies should not be treated as the only measure of a candidate’s popularity, noting that some voters do not attend such events and should not have to be paid to demonstrate support.
Mwangi said his campaign would focus on direct engagement with voters as he seeks to build support ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
