Junet hits out at critics of Ruto-Raila pact
National Asssembly Minority Leader and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) member Junet Mohammed has reprimanded politicians opposed to the working relationship between Raila Odinga and president Willliam Ruto.
Speaking in Mombasa on Saturday, April 5, 2025, during an Eid Baraza meeting, Junet noted that there has been a simmering anger among sections of the political class following the work agreement pact signed by the pair on March 7.
“I have witnessed a lot of vehement opposition over our party’s decision to sign a pact with President Ruto. We have many people who are livid after ODM joined up with him. Some have directed their anger at the president for engaging us. I want to warn them they might as well die from that anger as nothing is going to change,” Junet said.
The Suna East MP justified ODM’s decision to come to the agreement table with the ruling Kenyan Kwanza coalition, stressing the initiative was for the broader national good.
“We agreed to come to the table with Ruto because we can’t allow Kenyans to continue suffering. As leaders, we have a responsibility to ensure the resources of the nation are distributed equally and everyone gets their fair share. We want all Kenyans to feel like Kenyans, not others feeling like tenants, That is what Raila envisioned and what forms the basis of our agreement with the president. If anyone is angered by this, then it’s up to them,” he added.
Junet’s sentiments mirror those made by his party leader Raila Odinga at the same event.
In his address Raila decried the failure to see the full implementation of the constitution that advocates for the devolution of essential services to adequately address the needs of the citizens.
“The biggest problem we have is the national government and parliament not respecting the constitution. We have services which have been devolved: education is not devolved, but health is devolved, infrastructure is devolved as well as agriculture,” he stated.
“But the money remains in Nairobi. Why should the national government build a market here in Mombasa? A market in Mombasa should be built by the Mombasa County government, but the money has remained in Nairobi. Patients are suffering here because money for the health sector remains in Nairobi.”
Raila also defended the recently signed framework between ODM and UDA. He described the decision as key to allowing the government to work and honour its campaign pledges.
