- Roots Party leader George Wajackoyah has crowned himself the political heir of Raila Odinga, claiming the late ODM leader had anointed him spiritually
- Wajackoyah argued that Raila’s staunch supporters would move to the Roots party, suggesting that the former prime minister’s political orientation had changed.
- He criticized Migori businessman Oketch Salah’s claim to be Raila’s adopted son, revealing that he only met him during a trip to Tanzania, disputing his baseless claims
Leader of the Roots party George Wajackoyah has claimed to be the successor of former prime minister Raila Odinga, several months after his sudden death.
Source: Facebook
Raila’s death left a huge political void, especially in his stronghold of Nyanza, where he led a close religious loyalist for more than three decades.
The race to inherit his base has intensified, with several politicians hinting at private talks and blessings from the ODM leader before he died.
However within his own circle, there has been talk for a long time that Raila’s successor will not be formally announced but would “emerge” through a higher calling.
Leaders have been positioning themselves as beacons of the former prime minister’s ideology, focusing on the emotional connection he developed with millions of Kenyans.
Why did Wajackoyah declare himself as Raila’s successor?
It is a narrative that Wajackoyah seems to be leaning towards, suggesting during an interview with Ramogi TV, Wajackoyah that he is the political heir of the late prime minister.
The leader of the Roots Party said Raila had already distanced himself from the wider program with the President William Ruto before his death.
According to Wajackoyah, the former Prime Minister’s political orientation had changed long before his passing, adding that many of Raila’s supporters would gradually join his Roots party.
“I am with Raila’s people; when I left where Raila came from. He left the people physically in the broad government, but mentally, he left me his soul. I went with him to Mexico. They have been fighting here on a broad base; Raila had left a broad base spiritually. That is why he kept those people and looked, “Is this the policy I read to sell all the people of Baba’s party,” he said.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iframe%3E
Does Wajackoyah know Oketch Salah?
Wajackoyah also drew attention to the controversy surrounding Migori businessman Oketch Salah, who has recently attracted attention after calling himself Raila’s adopted son.
Salah’s public appearances and political messages have unsettled some parts of ODM, leading the party to distance itself from him.
Source: Facebook
His critics accuse him of relying on Raila’s name for political expediency, especially after a photo emerged of him wearing an ODM outfit bearing Ruto’s likeness.
Speaking on the issue, Wajackoyah dismissed Salah’s claims of a family relationship with Raila, saying he only knew the businessman during Raila’s trip to the country Tanzania.
“There are some people like Oketch Salah who have gone and taken the uniform of ODM and put the image of Ruto, but he claims to be Raila’s son. I only knew Dar-Es-Salaam when I saw him in a video with Baba when he spoke his Luo dialect. Father did not tell people that he is his son. Raila told people, “Suthi my son is coming,” Suthi said. Father worked with my father, he is Somali,” that is what Father said. Now Oketch Salah is “Raila’s son?” Winnie Odinga said she only heard him,” he added.
Wajackoyah warns critics of Winnie Odinga
Initially, Wajackoyah promised to defend him Winnie Odinga against his critics when he visited Raila’s grave in Bondo.
Addressing the media, he warned that anyone who speaks ill of him will have to face him. He maintained that Raila’s spirit remained alive recounting his past struggles, including being detained and imprisoned, saying he was not threatened by threats.
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