A silent but vicious succession battle has rocked former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s ODM party with the outfit's top brass secretly scheming against each other.
The war is said to be at the centre of the Orange party's decision to “discipline” Suna East MP Junet Mohamed — a key Raila ally — who has for months completely disengaged from party activities.
Sources say there has also been a push to extend a “show cause” letter to former Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho — another close Raila associate who went under after the ex-PM lost to William Ruto in the 2022 presidential contest.
Multiple interviews with insiders point to a scheme by a section of top party officials to inherit Raila's constituency and take over ODM.
The fight is said to pit the two ODM deputy party leaders — Joho and former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya.
Raila celebrated his 79th birthday on January 7 and there are doubts about his sixth stab at the presidency.
On the Oparanya side are said to be ODM secretary general Edwin Sifuna, chairman John Mbadi and Ugunja MP and National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi.
Joho is reportedly backed by Junet and a few party insiders like Embakasi East MP Babu Owino.
Already some Coast MPs have started raising questions about the turbulence in the party.
The Joho axis is alleged to be planning a fightback.
It has now emerged that Junet was first slapped with a disciplinary letter in December last year by the Azimio coalition where he served as the secretary general.
The letter was signed by Azimio National Coalition Executive Council chairman Oparanya.
He demanded to know whether Junet was still interested in his job.
“Following the outcome of the elections, the time lapsed and other changes that have occurred in the political landscape, it has became imperative for the coalition to take an audit of all its structures and organs, which includes the NCEC where you were gazetted to serve as members,” the letter reads.
“By this letter, you are hereby informed of the above ongoing exercise and requested to respond in writing to the chairman of NCEC of your intention to continue serving in the capacity in which you were gazetted or indicate if any other changes that may have occurred in your commitment to serve as such.”
Junet was sent yet another letter to explain his absence from party meetings in January by the ODM Central Management Committee.
The letter was signed by party secretary general Sifuna.
“By resolution of the committee, you are required to provide a comprehensive explanation for this state of affairs within the next seven (7) days,” the letter states.
The ODM Central Management Committee is chaired by Raila.
Sources said there have been plans by some disgruntled people within the party to strip Junet of his position as minority whip in the National Assembly.
A second-term MP from Nyanza who spoke to the Star in confidence confessed of ‘powerful forces’ working to strategically position themselves around the former premier.
“This is all about succession, some people in our party wants to takeover but their approach is wrong,” the MP said.
However, Junet has also come under close scrutiny on his relationship with the current administration.
Raila was on Tuesday forced to respond to the looming implosion in his party during a rally at Hola, Tana River after local party officials challenged him to address the fate of Junet.
The opposition leader announced that Suna East lawmaker is in ODM to stay contrary to media reports that he is being pushed out.
He however admitted to some difference in opinion that, he noted, cannot be construed to mean chasing one from the party.
"Junet has not gone anywhere. Junet is not going anywhere. There has been a lot of newspaper gossip. In every house where a husband and wife live, there can be a difference of opinion, right? Those are normal things,” Raila said.
“Junet has not gone anywhere, no one has chased him. Junet is the Director of Campaigns for the ODM party and a leader in the Azimio coalition. All that the newspapers write is propaganda."
The ODM boss was prompted by a plea from Galole MP Said Hirbae Buya who urged Raila to reconsider the alleged disciplinary action against Junet.
“I was elected by Ford-Kenya (in the last Parliament) but we left our parties to join ODM and the person who brought us to ODM is Junet Mohamed, he drove all the way from Nairobi,” Buya said.
“Recently, I read in papers about his troubles in ODM. We are asking you to address the issue so that Junet is brought back.”
The plot to oust Junet had created division within the opposition party with top officials dismissing the directive.
Joho for instance has publicly dismissed the decision to punish Junet and termed it ‘completely unnecessary and uncalled for’.
Narok senator Ledama ole Kina, Saboti MP Caleb Amisi and Azimio spokesman Prof. Makau Mutua have all defended Junet questioning the logic behind the drastic actions.
“The work Junet Mohammed did for Raila very few can do. If you are a top leader who served with Junet and you believe he spoiled campaigns as you watched, why didn’t you raise the matter then?” Amisi posed.
Ledama said the decision on Junet is wrong and urged party functionaries to instead focus the energy in building the outfit.
What’s the projected end game in this ? Should we not be building our party? This is not the way to go! It is wrong!” he said.
On his part, Makau who served with Junet at secretariat said the lawmaker gave his all for the Azimio.
“No truer words have ever been spoken. Kenya does not have a finer patriot than Junet Mohammed,” he said.
Ahead of the 2022 polls, Junet called the shots around Raila.
But after Raila loss, Junet cuts a lonely demeanor as he was bitterly blamed for bungling Raila's campaign.
He has never responded to the allegations.