Wheelbarrow antics and handout economics are empty promises—Wanjigi

ODM presidential hopeful Jimi Wanjigi has hit out at Deputy President William Ruto's bottom-up economic model and ODM leader Raila Odinga's promise to give poor households Sh6,000 monthly stipend.

Speaking on Sunday at Deliverance Church Makutano, in Meru, the businessman said those were empty promises that cannot make the country to progress.

"These wheelbarrow antics and Sh6,000 handout economics are nothing but empty promises. They don't make economic sense and cannot progress the nation," Wanjigi said.

Wanjigi said he understands economics and is best placed to take over the reins of the country next year, promising to double the national output from the current Sh8 trillion.

He noted that former President Mwai Kibaki's presidency grew the economy from a Sh1 trillion GDP to Sh6 trillion, but Jubilee has failed to do much by moving it up by only Sh2 trillion.

"When elected, I intend to double our national output, our GDP, from the current Sh8 trillion to Sh16 trillion so that all Kenyans can enjoyed a dignified and high quality of life," Wanjigi said.

The ODM presidential hopeful later met ODM delegates from the region and also opened ODM Jabari Center to further party activities in the region.

Wanjigi has been meeting different stakeholders from across the country as he drums up for support to win the ODM presidential ticket, ahead of next year's General Elections.

He is expected to square it out with party leader Raila Odinga, who is expected to announce his bid on December 9, 2021.

Wanjigi is the third ODM member to openly declare he is seeking the presidency on the party's ticket.

However, the other two aspirants - Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho and Kakamega's Wycliffe Oparanya - dropped their bids.