Wajackoyah Demands Share of Opposition Leader Office

Roots Party leader Prof George Wajackoyah has proposed a fresh demand regarding the intention to create office for the Opposition leader.

The 2022 presidential contender now wants the proposed post to be split into two; with one going to Azimio La Umoja-One Kenya Alliance Coalition party leader Raila Odinga and the other reserved for him by virtue of his placing in the 2022 presidential poll.

Speaking on Wednesday, Prof Wajackoyah said Raila will be known as the chief opposition leader while he will be merely an opposition leader without the “chief” designation.

Wajackoyah came in a distant third behind President William Ruto and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader.

Read: Wajackoyah Declares Himself Opposition Leader

He said that the establishment of an official office for the head of the opposition is a welcome move which should be backed by all.

“The intention to have the office of the Official opposition is a welcome move but it should be split into two to allow Raila be the chief Opposition leader while I become another opposition leader,” he said.

The leader of the official opposition will be able to select and appoint “such staff as shall be necessary for the execution of the said office, whose remuneration, benefits and allowances shall be drawn from the Exchequer subject to the Salaries and Remuneration Commission”, some of the Bill’s yet-to-be-publicized proposals state.

Additionally, it proposes a change of Article 260 of the Constitution such that the job of opposition leader falls under the category of a “state office.”

Read Also: Wajackoyah’s Roots Party Replaces Justina Wamae As Deputy Party Leader

But according to Wajackoyah, President Ruto should alter the Constitution through a popular initiative rather than breaking the law by enshrining the new office in the Political Parties Act.

“I fully support the creation of the office of the official opposition. But President Ruto cannot bend the law at his will. This is a good amendment that must be through a popular initiative because it touches on the structure of the governance,” he said.

In the event that the law is altered, the Dr Ruto-led administration will confer before deciding whether the official Office of the Opposition Leader’s occupant will be permitted to address Parliament.