Kalonzo scoffs at Junet over opposition leader post

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has defended his position in Azimio after his claim to the coalition leadership sparked criticism from some leaders.

On Friday afternoon, Kalonzo fired back in a brief statement on X.

“There is something called "defacto". The country cannot afford to have a void,” he said.

The tweet went up as soon as Kalonzo landed in Mombasa on Friday to condole with the family of the late Mombasa Cement Limited CEO Hasmukh Patel, who died on Thursday.

Azimio co-principals led by Eugene Wamalwa on Tuesday endorsed Kalonzo as the new Azimio leader, moments after the launch of Raila Odinga’s candidature for the African Union Commission chairmanship at State House, Nairobi.

Raila could exit the country’s political scene if he secures the AUC job, effectively creating a leadership vacancy in Azimio.

“As Baba leaves for Addis Ababa, there will be no lack of leadership in our great coalition, in fact, we will just get stronger,” Wamalwa said.

The team had convened a press conference at the SK Command Centre in Karen, Nairobi, and fronted Kalonzo as the new leader saying, “In Azimio, there will be no vacuum”.

“We have, by consensus, and I believe many of us who are in this coalition have all consented to him taking over the leadership of our coalition. We have great faith in his leadership, he is experienced as the second highest-ranking leader in our coalition,” the DAP-K party leader said.

Kalonzo assumed the leadership role promptly, stating: “Yes, I’m 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,” he said.

The development sparked reactions across the board, with Suna East MP Junet Mohammed declaring that he is the opposition leader owing to his role as the minority leader in the National Assembly.

“As it stands now, I’m the official opposition leader because I’m the minority leader and you cannot take away the job God has given me. Those in the opposition should know I am their leader,” Junet said.

Environment Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale backed Junet’s sentiments, saying Kalonzo’s claim to the official leader of the opposition post is neither here nor there.

Speaking in Magunga, Homa Bay County, on Friday, Duale said the constitution only recognises the leader of the minority in the National Assembly as the leader of the opposition.

“Hon Junet, wacha nimsaidie. Katika Katiba ya Kenya, Article 108, msemaji wa serikali katika Bunge ni Kimani Ichung'wah. Msemaji na kiongozi wa opposition ni Junet Mohamed. If you are somewhere else, unatangatanga unasema Baba ameenda AU wewe ndio kiongozi wa opposition na wabunge wako hawafiki ishirini, hapana!” Duale said.

(Hon Junet, let me help you. In the Constitution of Kenya, Article 108, the leader of the government in Parliament is Kimani Ichung'wah. The spokesperson and leader of the opposition is Junet Mohamed. If you are wandering elsewhere saying that Baba (Raila Odinga) has gone to the AU and you are the leader of the opposition and you have less than 20 MPs, it's a no).

For Kalonzo to officially assume the Azimio leadership role, the Wiper leader must secure the support of the majority of the Azimio Council members.

The Azimio Council is the superior decision-making organ of the opposition coalition, with select political party leaders forming its membership.

Azimio council membership includes former President Uhuru Kenyatta as the leader of the Jubilee party and the council chairperson, and Raila, the coalition’s leader.

Other council members are Kalonzo, Junet - the council’s secretary general- Kanu chairman Gideon Moi, Narc leader Charity Ngilu, former DAP-K party leader Wafula Wamunyinyi, Narc Kenya boss Martha Karua, former Taita Taveta MP Naomi Shaban and nominated MP Sabina Chege.

However, Karua has since written to the coalition, seeking to withdraw from the coalition.