Roots Party leader George Wajackoyah has claimed that his 2022 presidential running mate, Justina Wamae, was infiltrated into the party by political opponents linked to the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) to destabilise his presidential bid.

Speaking during an interview hosted by Chuxy of the Mic Cheque Podcast, which aired on YouTube on Friday, June 19, 2026, Wajackoyah described deep disagreements with Wamae over political messaging, campaign strategy, and ideological direction during the 2022 General Election campaign.

The former presidential candidate claimed that Wamae acted in ways that aligned with interests outside the Roots Party, suggesting she was used to advance external political narratives during the campaign period.

He claimed that some of her actions during the campaign pointed to deliberate efforts to undermine the party’s internal cohesion.

“So, she started misinforming people about me just because I spoke something good about Raila. And you have heard me saying how the Raila family helped me escape the country when I went into exile. I couldn’t just come up and say that Raila was bad just because of someone’s rhetoric,” Wajackoyah said during the interview.

Wajackoyah further claimed that some political activities linked to Wamae were coordinated in a manner that resembled interference from rival political camps.

Fallout over political direction

According to Wajackoyah, tensions between the two leaders escalated over disagreements on political messaging, including narratives surrounding ethnicity and coalition politics during the 2022 election cycle.

He accused Wamae of promoting divisive political messaging, which he said contradicted the Roots Party’s intended ideological stance.

Wajackoyah also suggested that he was advised by former Prime Minister the late Raila Odinga to avoid engaging in public disputes during the campaign period, even as internal tensions continued to build.

Claims of external influence

The Roots Party leader further claimed that some campaign activities associated with Wamae involved individuals and groups linked to rival political formations.

He claimed that at one point, individuals he did not recognise were presented as party youth leaders during campaign activities, which he interpreted as signs of external infiltration.

“She once brought people here wearing shirts as youth leaders from the Roots Party. I had never seen them. I know it was UDA, kinda, using her. Wakachukua vijana Kawangware wakawavalisha, and they made noise up to here; they wanted to take over the Roots Party, and I asked myself, ‘What is wrong with this lady?’ She went berserk on me, abused me, but Raila called me and said, you know what, don’t respond,” he claimed.

However, Wajackoyah did not provide verifiable evidence to support the claims during the interview.

Wamae–Wajackoyah fallout

The remarks have reignited public interest in the fallout between Wajackoyah and Wamae following the 2022 elections, where the Roots Party emerged as one of the surprise performers in the presidential race.

Confusion started brewing in Roots Party after Wajackoyah and his running mate Wamae differed on who to endorse for the presidency in the 2022 polls.

Wamae, on Wednesday, August 3, 2022, confirmed reports that Wajackoyah was supporting Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya presidential candidate Raila Odinga.

“It is true the allegations that my principal and party leader is supporting Azimio, but we have not discussed that as a party. We have not agreed, neither have I been consulted,” Justina said.

Justina was responding to Wajackoyah, who had praised Raila, saying he had done a lot for Kenya.

“However, let me make it clear that if push comes to shove and I’m asked to support the other three presidential candidates who are our worthy opponents then. I, Justina Wangui Wamae, a youth and a woman of sound mind, would support the contrary,” Justina added.