Former Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu has slammed former Chief Justice David Maraga for claiming that he lacks money to fund his political campaign.
Wambugu’s remarks followed a viral incident when Maraga declined to offer transport allowance to a team of supporters who had traveled to hear his address and told them that he did not have money and was working on raising funds for his campaign duties.
Addressing a morning radio program on Tuesday, September 14, 2025, Wambugu dismissed Maraga’s explanation, alleging that successful politicians do not use their personal funds to finance campaigns. Rather, he alleged, they utilize well-wishers and supporters who share their vision.
“There’s no smart politician who uses their own money to run for office. What did you use? You get friends. So the first thing you must do is that you must convince other people that you are actually worthy of being supported to run for office,” Wambugu stated.
He explained that effective campaigns are built on trust and public appeal, not personal wealth. According to him, candidates who fail to attract financial backing from supporters often struggle because they have not demonstrated enough value or credibility.
Wambugu also went on to say that political campaigns are driven by people, not money, by reiterating that genuine public endorsement automatically garners fiscal donations.
“Most people think that campaigns are all about money. We keep thinking about the money side, but the money comes after people have come. So the first thing is, you must have some people. And the money will follow,” he said.
He added that when people believe in a candidate’s leadership, they willingly offer financial help – starting from close friends and expanding to the wider public. Those who trust a candidate’s vision, he said, are always ready to contribute, however little, during fundraisers or events.
Wambugu concluded by telling Maraga that it is not a candidate’s duty to personally bankroll their campaign but to inspire others to invest in their vision. He argued that Maraga’s claim of lacking funds reflects a deeper problem – his inability to rally believers behind his political ambition.
“When I hear Maraga saying, ‘I don’t have money,’ I’m like, ‘Boss, it’s not you who is supposed to have money. When you tell me we don’t have money, it means that there is nobody who believes in you,’” Wambugu remarked.
