Raila dismisses 'propaganda', says Junet Mohamed firmly in ODM

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has dismissed reports suggesting a plan to kick Suna East MP Junet Mohamed out of the party.

ODM leader Raila Odinga on Tuesday said that Junet, who is also the director of campaigns in the Orange party, was "in ODM to stay".

Speaking during an ODM recruitment drive in Tana River County, Odinga said reports alleging plans by some party officials to discipline Junet over accusations of rebellion were false. He described these reports as propaganda and the creation of people he termed the party's enemies.

“Junet Mohammed is in ODM to stay. Ignore propaganda by the media. Junet is not going anywhere. He is the director of campaigns of the ODM party and a leader in the Azimio coalition,” he said. “In every house where a husband and wife live, there can be a difference of opinion. Those are normal things. Junet has not gone anywhere. No one has chased him."

The party leader further noted that the opposition's Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Alliance was still standing strong and serving its purpose.

“They are claiming Azimio is coming to an end. A strong ODM means a strong Azimio, the same as Wiper, Jubilee and NARC-Kenya. They want Azimio to be divided. That is why they write that propaganda,” he said.

ODM leader Raila Odinga (C) with other politicians during a tour of Tana River County on January 23, 2024. (Photo: X/Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir)

Odinga's remarks came amid reports of a possible rift within the party, all suggesting a plot to kick out Junet on allegations of disloyalty. The Suna East MP has been accused of skipping party events, a move that many within ODM see as an act of rebellion. 

During Odinga's anti-government street protests last year, which gave rise to the National Dialogue Committee, Junet was noticeably absent. 

Several politicians had asked the MP to explain his actions and it was alleged that ODM had already written him a show-cause letter, following his absence from party events since Odinga lost the presidential election in 2022.

Before the election, Junet had been regarded as one of Odinga’s closest allies, a position that had put him at loggerheads with some members of the ODM party. He campaigned with Odinga ahead of the vote and often served as the master of ceremony at Azimio’s rallies. He exuded great confidence and often had the final say on who would speak at events.

The MP managed the presidential campaigns with Odinga's approval, upsetting rivals and pushing out some of the former premier's closest and most enduring allies. Junet would also have been appointed to Odinga's kitchen cabinet had he defeated William Ruto, of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), in the election and formed the government.

Junet is a third-term MP who also holds the positions of ODM director of campaigns and parliamentary affairs secretary, Azimio secretary-general, and minority whip in the National Assembly. Narratives from individuals within the opposition suggest Odinga had complete faith in him.

During Raila's tour, Tana River Governor Godhana Dhadho Gaddae said Junet played a key role in uniting Coast leaders and ensuring the region remained an ODM stronghold. 

He assured Odinga of support, saying, “Your soldiers are still with you and are ready to fight alongside you, Baba (Kiswahili for ‘father’). We know you are the leader of this country and the African continent, and the model of leadership in the world. ODM is one of the most popular parties in the world, not just in Kenya,” he said.

Additional reporting by Khadija Abdi