Meet 29-year-old Jephnei Orina who dared to take on Ruto for UDA presidential ticket

Former UDA presidential candidate Jephnei Orina during an interview with the Standard in Nakuru County on March 24, 2022. [Harun Wathari, Standard]

After frustrations at the hands of Jubilee Party officials, Deputy President William Ruto formed the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) as his vehicle to State House in the August 9 polls.

With the power Ruto wields in the party, not many would have dreamt of challenging him for the UDA presidential ticket but 29-year-old Jephnei Orina did. 

And as he says: “This was not a stunt in the public gallery. I was serious with the idea and hoped that I would get the ticket. Ruto is a star there, but at times super subs do better.” 

The father of one who hails from Kisii County attended interviews at the Hustler Centre on March 12 alongside Ruto and Tracy Wanjiru, 29, to fly the UDA flag in the August presidential race.

Orina was however disqualified after he failed to pay the Sh1 million nomination fee. He had applied for a waiver of the fees, a prayer that was turned down by the party. 

“I appealed the decision and was ready to pay the amount. However, my appeal was time-barred in relation to the party’s deadline. I decided to let go,” said Orina. 

He, however, had a soft landing in the party after he was absorbed in the UDA Youth League which will be vital in mobilizing support for Ruto who was endorsed to fly the party’s flag on March 15.

“I am still in UDA despite all that happened. Some people wanted me to decamp to their parties but I would rather vie as an independent candidate. I chose to support Ruto,” he said.

Deputy President William Ruto when he presented his papers during the UDA presidential interviews at the Hustler Centre in Nairobi on March 12, 2022. [UDA Kenya, Twitter]

Orina was born and raised in Ogembo village. He attended St Charles’ and Caroline Primary School in South Mugirango after which he transited to St Joseph’s School Rapogi in Migori.

“I joined Kisii University where I did Bachelors of Education (Arts) and graduated in 2017. I proceeded to the University of Nairobi for a second degree in law and graduated in 2021,” he said.

Orina who is currently a student at the Kenya School of Law holds a Masters in Business Administration with a major in Finance from Kisii University.

“By the time I graduated I understood how competitive the Kenyan job market is. I had to seek extra academic qualifications to give me an edge and enhance my personal capabilities,” he said.

“Since my 2017 graduation, I have made nearly 500 applications but none has sailed through. This is typically what a majority of the Kenyan youth, educated or not, are going through,” he added. 

Both Orina's parents are teachers with his father having retired recently.

Ventured into carwash business

For his survival, Orina ventured into small businesses which he says are the source of livelihood for his family.

"I set up a car wash business in Kisii and recently started running AirBnBs in Nakuru town and its surroundings. From there, I feed and clothe my family," said Orina. 

As a newbie in national politics, many would consider his move to vie for the presidency as an attempt to climb a tree starting from the top.

He, however, revealed that he is not new to politics as he has held other leadership positions that equally involve intense lobbying and campaigning.

Former UDA presidential candidate Jephnei Orina during an interview with the Standard in Nakuru County on March 24, 2022. [Harun Wathari, Standard]

“At Kisii University, I was elected Speaker for the Students Congress for two terms. I am the current chairman of Jiajiri Sacco and AirBnBs service providers in the country,” he said.

He explained that his aspirations to become the next President of Kenya elicited mixed reactions from his family and friends, some of whom gave him full support as others took the back seat.

“Some were surprised when I went for the interviews and took it as a joke. Those close to me and who understand my history and performance on any roles delegated to me gave full support,” said Orina. 

He explained that the challenges facing the youth motivated him to seek an opportunity to address them at the national stage saying that despite their potential and numbers, they suffer a great deal.

“It is unfortunate that the Kenyan youth are on the menu instead of being on the table despite their qualifications, ideas, and numbers. We are a depressed generation hiding behind memes, alcohol and drugs,” he said.

“We are living at different times. My father was employed as an untrained teacher with his secondary school papers. I have a decorated resume that hasn’t secured a job for me. We need one of us to speak our language as the youth at the top,” he added.

Political Ideologies

If elected had he clinched the UDA ticket and proceeded to victory at the ballot, Orina explained that he would have developed a smart combination of policies outlined by those who have been in power and those seeking it.

“The Big Four Agenda was great. The Bottom-Up strategy is great. As a youth, I would have implemented all these in a way that would benefit a majority of Kenyans who are the youth,” he said.

He described the Kenyan taxation regime as the greatest challenge towards growing the country’s economy noting that the unit price of a technology is often met with an almost equal amount of taxation.

“I am not done with political ambitions. If I was to seek another elective seat other than the presidency, that would be a governor. I will be on one of the ballots in our subsequent elections,” said Orina.