East Africa’s richest nation holds elections on August 9, with veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga and Deputy President William Ruto leading a tight race. However, reggae aficionado George Wajackoyah has emerged as a wildcard candidate, who has promised to wipe out the country’s debt with his ‘ganja solution’. Mr Wajackoyah has attracted younger members of the electorate, with many saying conventional politicians have failed to tackle corruption, inflation and unemployment. The gravedigger-turned-law professor has garnered about 2% of the vote, but could have a say in the election if he backs one of the front-runners or gets votes from another. During his election campaign, he promised to wipe out Kenya’s nearly $70bn (£57.9bn) debt by establishing a medical cannabis industry and exporting animal parts to China, where he says hyena testicles are considered a delicacy. “I have created a new breed, known as the ganja breed,” he said, explaining its popularity. “They (politicians) have helicopters, they have money, they have painted cars. I don’t have a single poster.” Image: Has caught the attention of younger voters, who feel disenfranchised by established politicians “The ganja solution” Mr Wajackoyah is a well-known figure in Nairobi’s club scene and local media coverage of his presidential bid has led to speculation that he is being backed by a larger campaign to attract the youth vote. However, he dismissed those rumours, saying he has turned down offers of cash for endorsements from candidates. Instead, he dreams of smoking weed in the president’s office. “We will go to the state house and smoke it to remove the colonial impurities,” the 62-year-old said in his wood-paneled office, wearing a rag and listening to a Hare Krishna prayer. Other policies in his manifesto range from federalizing the government and renegotiating Kenya’s debt with China to hanging people found guilty of corruption. “We have come up with the ganja solution,” he said. Low budget test campaign The wild-card candidate is running on a shoestring budget, with supporters creating makeshift posters featuring his snow-white beard and the slogan “Wajackoya the 5th,” referring to his bid to become Kenya’s fifth president. “If I showed you the amount of money I have, you would laugh,” he said. Because of his budget, his rallies included him arriving in markets unannounced, blaring reggae music from his car and pitching his candidacy to onlookers. Image: Currently garnering about 2% of the vote, well behind the two front-runners On Wednesday, Mr Wajakoyah’s entourage went to Gatundu, about 30 kilometers north of the capital, where a crowd of about 400 people gathered. “Every election cycle, everyone comes here with their propaganda,” said Jeff Mwangi, a worker. “If this man can actually do what he says … we’re going to go a long way as a country.”
