The vocal legislator revealed that the government was yet to entrench the Office of Official Opposition as mandated by the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report.
Suna East Member of Parliament Junet Mohamed on Thursday, August 29 made it crystal clear that he is the opposition leader, dismissing Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka’s readiness to take over from Raila Odinga as the official opposition leader, slightly over a month after he was chosen to lead the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition.
Speaking during Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi’s thanksgiving ceremony, Junet claimed that Kalonzo had imposed himself on the new role too soon and that there was no provision for such in the Constitution of Kenya…yet.
The vocal legislator revealed that the government was yet to entrench the Office of Official Opposition as mandated by the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report.
Kalonzo Musyoka speaking during a press briefing on July 19, 2024. /KALONZO MUSYOKA
However, he did assure that he would work closely with the Leader of the Majority in Parliament, Kimani Ichung’wah to ensure that the office of the opposition leader was created.
“I heard our fellow brothers claiming that we as members of the ODM party are in government and that they are the new opposition leaders,” Junet claimed.
“There is no place in the constitution where the role of the opposition leader has been highlighted. We as the minority members in parliament, will work with the Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah to establish the position of the official opposition leader.”
Junet eventually claimed that he was the interim opposition leader after Raila kicked off his campaign trail for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson seat.
According to the lawmaker, the fact that he is the National Assembly Minority Leader makes him fit to take over Raila’s role as the opposition leader.
“So let no one pick up a role that is not yet there, let us first work on the matter in parliament then someone can go ahead and pick up the role,” Junet stated.
“Currently, I am the opposition leader in Kenya because I am the minority leader and you can not take the role from me, those who want to work in the opposite should contact me.”
This comes two days after Kalonzo while addressing the press in Nairobi, fronted himself to fill Raila’s shoes after the latter announced that he would not be involved in Kenyan politics going forward, instead putting his political know-how on the African stage.
“Yes, I am ready to be the Leader of the Official Opposition. This is the team. You will see the Opposition like never before.
“We may be light in numbers in Parliament, but outside, we have the People of Kenya,” Kalonzo stated.
