Outside national stage, Junet is an absentee MP, constituents say

For nearly 15 years, Suna East MP Junet Mohamed has hardly been a missing figure in the country’s key political moments. A man unafraid to even mortify himself if need be, to sell his political agenda or that of his masters to the masses.

Kenyans still recall how, in June 2020, at the peak of the war between then-President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto, he relayed his sympathies to the immediate former leader of the majority, Aden Duale, who had just lost his powerful seat to then Kipipiri MP Amos Kimunya.

Speaking after Duale read his exit speech as the majority leader, Junet said, "As for Duale, when you see us following Baba like cows, it is because we fear the consequences, like what you are facing today," adding, "So politics is like that, mkubwa. If you go against the wishes of people who own parties and lead this country… these are the consequences."

Junet said whatever happened to Duale is a learning experience for him.

"... it is a good experience for me. Now I will be more loyal than I am now. I will sing baba throughout," he said.

Within political circles, he has the tools that political players admire and always deploy to dismantle opponents through verbal tirades. So brazen is Junet’s style of politics that it thrust him to the centre of power within the late Raila Odinga’s inner political cycle, as he also reaped seamless wins in elections for his parliamentary seat since winning his first in 2007.

His journey to political stardom has not been a walk in the park. From a small shopkeeper in the dusty streets of Migori to a nominated councillor, a two-term mayor, and today a three-term MP, Junet, who is from the minority Somali community, defied ethnic lines to swim in power.

But back in Suna East, the man who worked his way up the leadership ladder to establish himself as one of the most trusted allies of Raila is an absentee MP, according to his critics.

They claim he is among the coat tailers who clutched onto Raila’s political coattails to win seats while offering constituents peanuts in development in return.

A section of his constituents claim he has abandoned his constituency and rarely visits, as he rode on Raila’s support and influence to clinch the seat with ease. With the exit of Raila, he has jumped ship and is betting his political future on President William Ruto.

“He knew we could not oppose Raila, and that is why he always won the polls. He had posed himself as Raila’s closest confidant, and no voters were going to embarrass the former ODM chief by rejecting him,” says Charles Ochieng, a voter in Suna East.

Bruno Liende, a politician and parliamentary hopeful, told The Standard that the MP is always a no-show in the constituency. "He is not a performer. There is no development he has brought to the region, and at times he only visits once a year."

He claims the constituency has nothing to show for the three terms Junet has served.

In the buildup to the 2022 General Elections, Junet's attacks on Ruto's presidential bid turned him into a favourite among Azimio supporters. He was direct, bare-knuckle, and with pints of humour to hammer Ruto's bid.

In Nyanza region, he was among a lean team of politicians who had Raila's ear.

In Azimio, he was among the leading figures in the coalition's chain of command as the coalition party’s Secretary General and also a member of the council, putting him in almost the same power ranks as political heavyweights, such as the late Raila and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka.

Junet was an instrumental figure in the coalition's formation, with ODM insiders describing him as “Raila’s second eye” in all discussions that culminated in the formation of the union.

In nearly all of the political rallies that were held by the coalition in the buildup to the polls, he was the main emcee and decided who spoke and how long each speaker spoke.

His close dalliance with Raila earned him an easy re-election as the ODM party handed him a direct ticket.

Before Junet’s rise to prominence, other allies of the ODM chief played the role, but were muscled out as Raila also moved to change the faces in his closest circle.

In the past, among those who played the Junet role included the late Homa Bay senator Otieno Kajwang’ as well as Siaya Senator James Orengo. Today, Junet is among those circling around the new ODM party leader Oburu Oginga and part of the team pushing for a coalition deal with Ruto.

According to Hezron Onyango, a politician in Suna East, Junet has failed the constituency. He claims most schools in the constituency are in a pathetic state.

"A school like Kwa Primary School, for example, has dilapidated structures, yet we have an MP. He has failed our people," said Onyango, adding that Junet will not win another term.

Similarly, Moses Owuor, a resident, claimed that the legislator only makes an appearance in the constituency during the December festivities to organise a football tournament.

"The belief has always been that he was helping Raila with national politics. He was vocal on TV and in rallies, and that is why residents had a soft spot for him and not because of performance," says Ochieng.