LAMU, Kenya- National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed has launched a blistering attack on former President Uhuru Kenyatta, accusing him of meddling in the internal affairs of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
He said the former President was fueling divisions within ODM, saying they threaten to weaken the once‑dominant party.
This comes after ODM NEC fired Edwin Sifuna as Secretary General.
His remarks came during an ODM Linda Ground mobilisation tour in Lamu County, where the party is campaigning ahead of the 2027 general election.
Addressing crowds alongside party colleagues, Junet described internal wrangles within ODM as not merely differences over the broad‑based government arrangement with President William Ruto, but as a product of external interference by the retired Head of State.
“The problem we have in our party is not the broad‑based government or William Ruto; the problem we have is former President Uhuru Kenyatta. He is the one destroying our party,” Junet said.
We had a productive and fully packed day in Lamu and Tana River counties, focused on strengthening our party presence and expanding our reach.We are working to secure ODM’s leadership, grounded in our shared commitment to social justice, particularly on issues affecting local
Accusations of Meddling and Divisions
Junet challenged Kenyatta to stop what he called active involvement in ODM’s internal affairs, insisting that the former president should focus on his own Jubilee Party and retire from opposing the opposition’s membership dynamics.
“Please, leave our party alone. You have Jubilee, you have refused to retire … so please focus on your work and let us run ODM affairs,” Junet said.
He also alleged that although Kenyatta appears to have stepped back from frontline politics, he still exercises influence behind the scenes by backing factions that undermine party unity.
“He pretends to have retired, but on the ground, he is sending people … he wants us to unite and remove Ruto from office,” Junet said, arguing that ODM would not adopt that strategy.
Context of Internal Party Rift
The latest allegations come amid heightened tensions within ODM following the removal of Secretary General Edwin Sifuna at a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Mombasa on February 11, 2026.
The move, which saw Suba South MP Caroli Omondi appointed as interim secretary general, has triggered a backlash from some party figures who believe disciplinary processes were manipulated.
Junet’s comments also reflect broader unease about the party’s direction since the death of its long‑time leader, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, in October 2025.
Relations between party organs and factional interests have been strained, with some leaders advocating for ODM to independently field a candidate in 2027, while others support cooperation with President Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
ODM National Chairperson Gladys Wanga echoed Junet’s criticism of external interference, insisting that recent NEC decisions were constitutional and properly constituted despite public debate over their legality.
She maintained that internal discipline was essential for the party’s survival.
Political Implications
Political analysts say Junet’s remarks signal deepening fault lines in one of Kenya’s oldest and most influential political parties.
The accusations against Kenyatta, a former ODM ally during his 2007 and 2013 presidential campaigns, illustrate how shifting alliances and coalition politics have intensified rivalries within Kenya’s opposition landscape.
As ODM continues its Linda Ground tour across coastal counties, including stops in Tana River and Kilifi, party leaders have emphasised grassroots mobilisation and unity in the face of what they describe as coordinated attempts to weaken the organisation ahead of the 2027 general election.
