January 23, (TopNews) – Raila Odinga, the leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), has dispelled rumors of a rift between the party and Suna East MP Junet Mohammed, who also serves as the Director of Elections and Campaigns.
The party had summoned the National Assembly Minority Whip to explain his conspicuous absence from recent ODM and Azimio la Umoja One Kenya events. Failure to provide a satisfactory explanation could potentially lead to his removal from the party position.
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While Junet Mohammed has yet to respond to the summons, key figures within the party, including former Mombasa Governor and Deputy Party Leader Hassan Joho, have come to his defense.
Speaking at an event in Tana River County on Tuesday, Raila Odinga emphasized that Junet’s political allegiance is firmly with ODM and the broader Azimio coalition. He downplayed the incident as a simple difference of opinions between the party and the MP.
“Kila nyumba pale watu wanaishi bwana na bibi si kila mara kwa saa ingine wanaweza kuwa na tofauti ya maoni. Hiyo ni mambo ya kawaida. Hakuna shida, Junet haendi mali; hakuna mtu ambaye ameguza Junet, yeye ndiye Director of Campaigns ODM,” Raila stated.
Raila also criticized the media for what he perceived as biased reporting and exaggeration of the news surrounding Junet’s summons
“Junet hajeenda mahali na haendi mahali. Imekuwa fujo mingi ya magazeti. Gazeti ndio wanaenda kueneza mambo. Yote magazeti wanaandika ni porojo tupu,” he said..
Addressing reports hinting at a potential disintegration of the Azimio political coalition, Raila attributed such claims to the media’s inclination to create issues within the coalition.
“Kwa mfano wanasema ati Azimio inaenda kusambaratika. Haya yote ni wao wenyewe ndio wanataka kukuwe na shida katika Azimio.” he added.
Raila asserted that by fostering the growth of affiliate parties, Azimio is consolidating its position as a political coalition.
“Azimio ni muungano wa vyama, sasa haiwezi kujengwa kivyake. Kama vyama hivi viko na nguvu, Azimio itakuwa na nguvu. The coalition parties of Azimio must be strong, sisi tunajaribu kuimarisha chama chetu cha ODM,” he explained.
“A strong ODM means a strong Azimio; a strong Wiper and Jubilee means a strong Azimio. Tunaimarisha ODM ndio Azimio iweze kuwa na nguvu. Azimio haisambaratiki; Azimio iko pale na iko na nguvu zaidi.” concluded Mr. Odinga.