NAIROBI, Kenya — Suna East MP Junet Mohamed has publicly dismissed an apology issued by Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary General Edwin Sifuna to former President Uhuru Kenyatta, declaring that he will now serve as the spokesperson of the so-called “Washenzi group” within the party.
In a defiant response posted on social media, Junet said he would speak without fear or favour, framing his stance as a defence of internal debate within ODM.
“I shall be the spokesperson of the ‘WASHENZI’ group in the mighty ODM party. Without fear and favor, so help me God,” Junet said.
Junet’s remarks came shortly after Sifuna issued a formal apology to Kenyatta over recent political attacks by some ODM leaders, including Junet himself, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga.
Earlier, Sifuna apologised to the former President for what he termed unfair and disrespectful attacks, following claims by some ODM leaders that Kenyatta was attempting to “buy” the party to prevent it from supporting President William Ruto’s re-election bid in 2027.
“Uhuru Kenyatta, I plead for forgiveness for the kind of insults you are receiving from ODM leaders, who have forgotten what you did to help Raila Odinga,” Sifuna said. “You held his hand. You were a true leader of Raila Odinga.”
The apology marked a rare public effort by ODM’s top leadership to rein in internal criticism directed at the former Head of State, who has historically been a key ally of the then ODM leader Raila Odinga, particularly during the 2018 Handshake period.
Sifuna urged party members to uphold respectful political discourse and warned against personal attacks that could weaken party cohesion.
Sifuna also cautioned against secret political dealings conducted outside ODM’s formal structures, stressing the importance of consultation and internal democracy.
“No decision will be taken without consulting all members of ODM,” he said, adding that unity and collective decision-making were essential as the party positions itself ahead of the 2027 general election.
Junet’s sharp rebuttal, however, underscored deepening internal tensions within ODM over strategy, alliances, and the party’s posture toward the Kenya Kwanza administration.
Whether the dispute will escalate or be contained through internal mechanisms remains to be seen, but the episode signals a party grappling with both loyalty to past alliances and competing visions for its political future.
