The Azimio la Umoja coalition has unanimously endorsed the appointments of Suna East Member of Parliament Junet Mohamed and Suba North’s Millie Odhiambo as the new Minority Leader and Whip in the National Assembly, respectively. This endorsement was officially announced by Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna, following a resolution made during an Azimio Parliamentary Group meeting held on Tuesday.
“The Azimio PG meeting has unanimously endorsed the proposals from the ODM party to appoint Hon Junet Mohamed and Hon Millie Odhiambo as the new Minority Leader and Whip in the National Assembly respectively. On behalf of ODM, I thank all the Azimio constituent parties for their support and wish the two leaders well in their new positions,” said Sifuna. This development comes in the wake of the resignation of former Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi, who is set to assume the role of Energy Minister, pending parliamentary approval of his nomination.
Junet Mohamed, a prominent figure within ODM and considered a close ally of party leader Raila Odinga, will now step into the pivotal role of Minority Leader. This position entails being the spokesperson for the party’s positions on national issues within Parliament. Junet’s appointment is seen as a strategic move, leveraging his close association with Odinga to ensure cohesive representation of the party’s interests in the legislative arena.
Millie Odhiambo, who takes over the Minority Whip position previously held by Junet, brings extensive parliamentary experience to her new role. She has served in Parliament since 2007, initially as a nominated MP before securing the Suba North seat. Odhiambo’s seasoned legislative background is expected to be a valuable asset in her role as Whip, where she will be responsible for maintaining party discipline and ensuring effective coordination among members of the minority party in Parliament.
The endorsement of Junet and Odhiambo is set against a backdrop of speculated internal rifts within the Azimio coalition. These speculations have been fueled by the nomination of four opposition members to President William Ruto’s cabinet, a move that some see as potentially divisive. Alongside Opiyo Wandayi’s nomination for the Energy ministry, the other nominees include former Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho for the Mining and Blue Economy portfolio, former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya for Cooperatives and MSMEs Development, and Nominated MP John Mbadi for the Treasury.
The inclusion of these opposition figures in Ruto’s cabinet has sparked widespread speculation about the potential for a split within the Azimio coalition. Critics argue that these appointments may signal a strategy by President Ruto to weaken the opposition by co-opting its members into government roles, thereby creating divisions within the coalition.
However, the ODM’s swift endorsement of Junet Mohamed and Millie Odhiambo is being interpreted as a move to consolidate the party’s leadership within Parliament and maintain unity amid these speculated tensions. By placing trusted and experienced leaders in key parliamentary positions, the ODM aims to ensure a strong and cohesive opposition presence in the National Assembly.
As the new Minority Leader, Junet Mohamed is expected to articulate the party’s stance on critical national issues effectively, while Millie Odhiambo, as Minority Whip, will play a crucial role in managing the parliamentary party’s discipline and cohesion. Their appointments underscore the ODM’s commitment to strengthening its parliamentary leadership and enhancing its strategic positioning within Kenya’s political landscape.
The coming weeks will be crucial in determining how these changes will impact the dynamics within the Azimio coalition and its relationship with the ruling administration. The political landscape remains fluid, with the potential for further developments as the newly appointed leaders settle into their roles and navigate the challenges ahead.
