NAIROBI – From Street Protests to State House Bid

Prominent Kenyan activist Bob Njagi has officially declared his candidacy for the 2027 presidential election, aiming to unseat incumbent President William Ruto. The announcement was made during a live interview on Citizen TV on the evening of Wednesday, November 12, 2025, marking a significant pivot from street-level activism to formal politics. "We are moving away from protest into power... I myself will be vying for the presidency of the Republic of Kenya come August 2027 and they should be prepared for a serious battle," Njagi stated.

Njagi’s declaration comes just days after his release from a controversial 38-day detention in Uganda, an ordeal that has drawn sharp focus on regional security cooperation and human rights. He and fellow activist Nicholas Oyoo were abducted in Kampala on October 1, 2025, and held incommunicado until their release on November 7, 2025, following sustained diplomatic pressure from the Kenyan government.

Explosive Claims and a History of Activism

Njagi, who leads the Free Kenya Movement, has a documented history of activism and has been previously abducted in Kenya. In October 2024, he recounted a 32-day abduction in Kenya which he attributed to his role in anti-government protests. His recent detention in Uganda, which President Yoweri Museveni eventually acknowledged, was justified by claims that the activists were “experts in riots” linked to opposition figure Bobi Wine.

During his Citizen TV appearance, Njagi made the explosive and unverified claim that Ugandan soldiers had confessed to him while in detention about being deployed to Kenya, dressed in Kenyan police uniforms, to help suppress the 2024 Gen Z-led anti-tax protests. "One shocking revelation is that there were some soldiers who revealed to me that they participated in the Gen Z protest in Kenya. They were moved from Uganda as military dressed in Kenyan police uniform to come and quell the riots," Njagi alleged. These claims of a clandestine cross-border security operation have ignited public debate, but Kenyan and Ugandan authorities have not issued any official comment. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REQUIRED.

The 2027 Political Landscape

Njagi’s entry into the presidential race introduces a new element into an already dynamic political field. He aims to galvanize support through his 'People Power Movement', focusing on positioning youth, women, and persons with disabilities in key leadership roles. He stated that his movement already includes aspirants for gubernatorial, senatorial, and parliamentary seats.

His candidacy is seen by some analysts as an attempt to capitalize on the momentum of the 2024 youth-led protests and widespread discontent with the political establishment. However, he faces a formidable challenge in building a national political structure to compete with established players. The 2027 race is expected to feature prominent figures, with Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka and former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i, among others, having declared or signaled their intentions to run. The opposition is also reportedly in talks to field a single candidate to challenge President Ruto.

As an activist with a history of confronting state power, Njagi's campaign will likely focus on themes of human rights, justice, and accountability. His transition from activism, however, will be closely watched to see if he can convert his street credibility into a viable political force capable of challenging the Kenya Kwanza administration and other opposition hopefuls in the complex arena of Kenyan electoral politics.