As the deadline for political outfits to submit the names of their presidential and running mates was coming to a close, the Roots Party nominated Professor George Wajackoyah and Justina Wangui Wamae as their candidates.
Though she is not a greenhorn in the political field, Wamae’s profile is largely unknown. She unsuccessfully vied for the Mavoko parliamentary seat in 2017. Currently, she oversees a construction company that is based in Utawala.
Family
Wamae is a first born in a family of two. She was born and raised in Kibera before the family moved to Syokimau after the deadly 2007/8 post election violence.
The 35 year old is married to Alex Kanyi whom she met while campaigning for the MP seat in 2017.
Education
Wamae describes herself as an avid reader of books centred on politics and economics. Even though her parents were not blessed with deep pockets, they toiled to take her to Kilimani Primary School.
She then joined Limuru Girls High School for secondary education. Thereafter, Wamae pursued a Bachelor’s of Commerce (Management Information Systems) at Daystar University.
She holds a graduate diploma in Purchasing and Supply Chain Management from Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply. Wamae also decorates her curriculum vitae with a Masters in Purchasing and Logistics from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT).
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Career
The Roots Party deputy presidential candidate worked as an invigilator at the British Council immediately after secondary school. The job was seasonal and she got paid Ksh 10k every time she oversaw examinations.
However, years later after her undergraduate studies, she was rendered jobless for two years, a matter which plunged her to the doldrums.
“I used to have some bitterness in my heart. I was thinking (how) I went to school and studied, my grades were impressive (but) why didn’t I have a job?” She posed in a recent interview with Tuko.
Fortunately, the British Council hired her as a project assistant. It was an 8 month contract with a handsome pay that tempted her to buy a car. However, she realized she couldn’t afford to maintain the car after expiry of the contract and directed the money to paying for her Masters education.
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Currently, Wamae manages a construction company based in Utawala that has a fleet of self-tipping trucks, graders and shovel machines.
Politics
Wamae has served as the managing director of Finpro Association Limited, a company dealing with sensitization of youth owned enterprises. Previously, she served as the chairlady of ‘Warembo na Uhuru’ Machakos chapter which lobbied for women’s participation in politics.
In 2017, the daring Wamae wanted to vie for the Mavoko MP seat on a Jubilee party ticket but was denied the chance. Frustrated, she changed tact and went on to contest on as an independent ticket. She was unsuccessful.
Roots Party
Justina Wamae has recently been nominated as the running mate for presidential candidate George Wajackoyah. According to her, she was introduced to the professor through a friend.
“I will be a deputy president who will follow instructions, be ready to learn and represent my boss in anything that adds value,” she says.
The Roots Party is known for its advocacy for commercial growth of marijuana in Kenya. Wamae says there is a huge financial potential and market for export of the produce to India, China and US.
