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George Wajackoyah drops running mate Justine Wamae in party reshuffle


Roots presidential candidate George Wajackoyah has seemingly dropped his running mate Justina Wamae as the deputy party leader and replaced her with Vinod Ramji.

The reshuffle was contained in an advertisement placed in one of the dailies and attributed to a ‘resolution by the Roots Party National Executive Committee (NEC).

Other appointments include that of Naran Velji Arjan as the National Executive Officer, and Janet Akinyi Odhiambo as the Deputy National Chairperson.

Also read: Justina Wamae: Let’s honour the late Ken Okoth by legalising marijuana

Vinod Ramji is a prominent business and owner of Mafuko Industries Limited.

The changes come a few days after the party summoned Wamae for a disciplinary hearing on accusations of  ‘misconduct and continuously disassociating herself from the party’s ideologies’.

The party further accused Wamae of making that ‘harangued the party’ including a time she claimed the Wajackoyah was supporting Azimio la Umoja One Kenya presidential candidate, Raila Odinga.

Also read: Justina Wamae: My dad did not approve the bhang manifesto

“Due to your continuous misrepresentation of the Party’s stand, the Party has suffered public ridicule and disrepute. It is in our knowledge that you have continuously disassociated yourself with the Party and its ideologies,” read part of the summons.

Wamae who has maintained her innocence turned up for the disciplinary hearing but later told the media she had been denied access to the party offices.

Wajackoyah, who contested for the presidency on a manifesto of legalizing marijuana for commercial purposes, finished third in the August 2022 polls, behind eventual winner William Ruto and second-placed Raila Odinga. Wahiga Mwaure emerged last among the four candidates.

Also read: How Justina Wamae was turned away at Roots Party headquarters