Presidential aspirant Macharia Njeru has urged Kenyans to carefully consider the leaders they elect in the 2027 General Election, saying the presidency carries significant responsibility and should be held to high standards.
Njeru, a former chairman of the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), raised concerns over what he described as persistent challenges facing the country, including gaps in education, inadequate public transport and shortages of essential medicines in public health facilities.
He made the remarks a day after officially declaring his intention to vie for the presidency in the 2027 General Election.
Njeru said the challenges affecting Kenyans demonstrate the importance of electing leaders who can address issues affecting citizens rather than focusing mainly on tribal considerations.
“We should be able to apply very high standards when it comes to leadership, particularly the top seat. Presidency is not something to joke around with,” Njeru said.
He said the President holds a major responsibility for the safety and security of Kenyans, adding that decisions made at the highest level of government can have serious consequences.
“I don’t know whether people understand the magnitude of that seat. The president is the person responsible for your safety and security. Any mistake they make could cost people’s lives,” he said.
Njeru also pointed to challenges in education, healthcare and public transport, saying Kenyans continue to suffer when basic services fail.
“If a child cannot access good education, if somebody will lack drugs in a hospital and they die of a disease that could be preventable, a public transport system that’s not working and people are dying of accidents,” he said.
He criticised what he described as the low standards applied when choosing presidential candidates, arguing that political discussions often focus on tribal identity instead of the issues affecting Kenyans.
“We have treated the position of presidency with such low standards where we start talking about tribes and not addressing what Kenyans need,” Njeru said.
