Jimi Wanjigi says Africa must change lives of millions living in poverty
Safina Party leader Jimi Wanjigi has called for urgent action to address poverty in Africa, saying millions of people continue to live without meaningful improvement in their livelihoods. Speaking in a video shared on his party’s X account on Monday, September 28, 2026, Wanjigi said the high number of people living in poverty was unacceptable at […]
Jimi Wanjigi, leader of the Safina Party, has called for immediate action to tackle poverty in Africa, stating that millions still live in conditions where their livelihoods have not improved. In a video posted on his party's X account on September 28, 2026, Wanjigi emphasized that the significant number of impoverished individuals is unacceptable, given the continent's resources and potential.
"When you have so many people that are poor, you have a big, big problem," Wanjigi stated. He noted that about 60% of the African population is considered poor, a figure he found unacceptable in the modern era. Growing up in Kenya, Wanjigi witnessed firsthand the inequalities and lack of opportunities faced by many, which he believed mirrored similar statistics across the continent.
He expressed frustration that despite the continent's vast potential, many Africans continue to experience minimal change in their lives. Wanjigi highlighted that growing up in Africa meant learning that life was not fair for fellow Africans who, despite being born on a beautiful land, remained deprived. He stressed that the lack of progress in poverty alleviation should motivate the continent to strive for a different future rather than accept poverty as inevitable.
"You grow up believing that there can be a different continent, there can be a different country that you’re in," Wanjigi said, underscoring his determination to see a significant reduction in poverty across Africa. "We are very determined to see this change once and for all eradicate poverty on this continent that has got so much for us," he concluded.
The International Fund for Agricultural Development's 2025 Impact Report further underscores the issue, reporting that approximately one in five people in Africa live in poverty, with about 80% of the world's poor residing in rural areas. Investment in smallholder farmers, rural enterprises, and agricultural value chains is suggested as a way to create economic opportunities and reduce poverty.
Written by urgent.news from People Daily Kenya's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
