Third Way Alliance party leader Ekuru Aukot has stated that former Prime Minister Raila Odinga is not the official opposition leader in Kenya.
Speaking on Citizen TV, Tuesday, September 12, Aukot said National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi is the legitimate opposition leader.
“We need to correct certain misnomers in this country, the official leader of opposition in this country is Opiyo Wandayi.
That is the leader of the minority in parliament and what is intended in the Constitution,” said Aukot.
Additionally, Aukot explained that the country needs to move away from aligning behind political personalities.
“Who is Raila Odinga, yes he is the party leader of ODM, but why are we reducing our country to President William Ruto and Raila talk?” he asked.
Aukot castigated the Kenya Kwanza Alliance accusing it of focusing on the 2022 elections instead of running the government.
Furthermore, he accused the opposition of failing to perform its oversight role as provided in the Constitution.
“The Kenya Kwanza Alliance is taking itself back to 2022 instead of administering and governing the country. The opposition is also failing because what motion has been brought on the floor of parliament by the opposition?” he posed.
He reasoned that there are no important debates or motions in parliament yet that is the forum where national matters should be handled.
Mudavadi & Gachagua Power Dilemma
Also, Aukot dismissed assertions that Prime Cabinet Secretary (PCS) Musalia Mudavadi is the third command in the Kenya Kwanza government.
“You hear people say that Mudavadi is number three in terms of the perking, it is a lie.
The president is number one, then the deputy president followed by the speaker of the national assembly,” ‘he said.
Aukot explained the Constitution does not provide for the Prime CS position adding that it is a reward to Mudavadi.
Further, he said the functions prescribed for Mudavadi should be handled by President William Ruto and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
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He opined that the creation of PCS is a violation of the Constitution and is against the will of the people.
“They are trying to justify and illegality, for example of the position of PCS, just because an individual has been appointed to that position illegally so now, we are making it our national agenda,” said Aukot.
Additionally, he says President Ruto is violating the Constitution by allowing strangers including Mudavadi in cabinet meetings.
Ruto – Raila Bipartisan Talks
Aukot said the bipartisan talks are a waste of time and resources.
Further, he stated that the talks confirm that President Ruto is not confident that he won the elections fairly.
“If he really won the elections fairly and I believe he did, why then is he entertaining a conversation with somebody who lost the elections,” said Aukot.
Additionally, Aukot mentioned that the discussion about the country should not be reduced to Raila and Ruto.
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He advised that the President Ruto should direct the opposition to use parliament to air their issues instead of politicizing outside the house.
However, Aukot criticized President Ruto and his cabinet for engaging in campaigns and sideshows instead of implementing their manifesto.
“What I am seeing is a lot of public relations, just go to social media you can see CSs and PSs posting unnecessary things which do not address the needs of Kenyans,” said Aukot.
Additionally, he accused the government of overspending and enlarging the government after claims of inheriting a bankrupt treasury.
