NAIROBI, KENYA – In a high-stakes television appearance that has sent shockwaves through the Kenyan political landscape, Suna East Member of Parliament and National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed has finally broken his silence on the ghosts of the 2022 General Election.
For years, whispered allegations and overt accusations have hounded the legislator, painting him as the man who presided over the disappearance of Sh500 million intended for polling agents, ultimately leading to the defeat of Azimio la Umoja leader, the late Raila Odinga.
Speaking on Citizen TV’s Jeff Koinange Live (JKL), Junet Mohamed moved to systematically dismantle the narrative that he was the “fall guy” for the coalition’s failure, naming specific individuals who were in charge of the campaign’s purse strings and secretarial duties.
The Sh500 Million “Vanished” Funds
The most controversial segment of the interview focused on the Sh500 million meant to facilitate agents across the country’s 46,000+ polling stations. In the aftermath of the 2022 polls, several ODM insiders and external critics claimed that agents were left stranded without pay because the funds had been “eaten” by those closest to Raila Odinga.
Junet, however, was categorical in his defense. “Success has many fathers, but failure is an orphan,” he told host Jeff Koinange. He explained that the management of funds was a digital, centralized process that did not involve his office.
“I have given a very thorough communication on that matter; it is still posted on my social media accounts,” Junet stated. He went further to name names, pointing the finger at Patrick Buru and Mo Kat, who he says were the individuals responsible for the electronic disbursement of funds.
According to Junet, the plan was for the money to be paid directly to agents via Safaricom’s mobile money platform at the “click of a button” from a computer. “I am waiting for a response from these people. They are alive, they are not dead. No one has responded to me,” he challenged. By naming Buru, Junet sought to distance himself from the financial logistics, arguing that as a politician, his role was in the field, not in a counting house or a secretariat office.
“I Was Not a Secretariat Person”
One of the primary criticisms leveled against Junet in 2022 was that he “blocked” access to Raila Odinga and mismanaged the campaign’s strategy. In his rebuttal, Junet painted a picture of a man who was constantly on the move, serving as the “political shadow” of his mentor.
“I was with Baba in every village he visited in the last election. Every single day, I was with him,” Junet remarked. He recalled the harrowing experience in Eldoret where a helicopter they were traveling in was attacked and almost came down. “I almost died there. How do you expect me to do secretarial work of looking for agents and managing lists when I am waking up every morning to ensure we have successful rallies?”.
He argued that it was logistically impossible to be the lead speaker at national rallies while simultaneously managing the minutiae of agent recruitment and payment. He characterized the accusations as “political scores” being settled by people who were jealous of his proximity to power during Raila’s final presidential run.
Who Really Lost Raila the Election?
When pressed on why the “Deep State”—which was widely believed to be supporting Raila—failed to deliver the presidency, Junet offered a cynical view of Kenya’s power brokers. He suggested that the “people who make people presidents in Kenya” never truly intended for Raila Odinga to take the oath of office.
“The people who made others president in 2007, 2013, and 2017 did not want to make Raila president,” Junet claimed, though he stopped short of naming specific individuals in the then-Jubilee government. He suggested that these forces “camouflaged” their support while working behind the scenes to ensure a different outcome, effectively making the Azimio campaign a victim of internal sabotage from its supposed allies.
Countering the “Mole” Accusations
The interview also touched on the current state of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). Since the formation of the “broad-based” government, Junet has faced accusations from within his own party—most notably from figures like Edwin Sifuna and Babu Owino—of being a “mole” for the UDA government.
Junet dismissed these claims as “nonsense,” stating that his loyalty to ODM remains unwavering. “How do I become a mole in my own party where I am a senior official?” he asked. He noted that in politics, such labels are used to gain “space” and influence, but insisted that the party’s decision to work with President William Ruto was a strategic move for the good of the country and the party’s supporters.
He also took a sharp swipe at Cleophas Malala, the former UDA Secretary General, calling him a “conman” and a “garbage” politician for suggesting that Junet sold agent lists to the Kenya Kwanza camp.
The Path Forward: ODM 2026
As the party mourns its founding father, the question of succession looms large. Junet confirmed that the party is heading toward a National Delegates Conference (NDC) by December 31, 2026. He dismissed rumors of a split between the “Odinga family faction” (associated with Mama Ida and Winnie Odinga) and the “Oburu Oginga faction.”
“Mama Ida is above any faction. She is the mother of our party,” he stated, adding that Dr. Oburu Oginga is the currently recognized party leader. He assured supporters that while there is healthy rivalry and divergent opinions within the party, ODM would not split.