Duale tells off Kalonzo over claims he’s opposition leader

Environment Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale 

 Environment Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has told off Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka over recent claims that he is now the official leader of the opposition.

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

His remarks backed Suna East MP Junet Mohamed’s remarks at the event that he is the leader of opposition, not Kalonzo.

According to Duale, any other person claiming to be leader of opposition from elsewhere is not the one.

“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. Sasa ni kama 2008, Serikali na opposition wameungana ili Kenya iwe moja,” The CS said.

This loosely translates to, “Hon Junet, let me help. In the Constitution of Kenya, Article 108, the leader of government in Parliament is Kimani Ichung'wah. The spokesperson and leader of the opposition is Junet Mohamed. If you are somewhere else, you are wandering around saying that Baba (Raila Odinga) has gone to the AU and you are the leader of the opposition and your MPs are not even 20, it's a no.”

Duale insisted that the way President William Ruto’s administration is currently constituted is similar to the 2008 Grand Coalition Government.

He added the opposition and Government are united in this case, for the development of the country.

“Right now, it's like 2008, the Government and the opposition have united to make Kenya one.”

Duale’s remarks came a few days after Kalonzo announced that he was the official leader of Azimio la Umoja coalition after Raila launched his bid for the African Union Commission chairmanship.

Kalonzo who convened a press conference coinciding with the State House launch of the bid, on Wednesday said Azimio will remain intact after Raila’s departure.

“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,” he said.

by BRIAN ORUTA