National Assembly Minority Whip Junet Mohamed has defended the inclusion of ODM leaders in the Cabinet, asserting that every Kenyan has the right to serve in government. Speaking in Samburu, Junet emphasized that all Kenyans contribute to the tax system and should be permitted to work in government roles if they choose.
He maintained that those uninterested in collaborating with the government should remain focused on politics, as he has chosen to do.
“These are our taxes. Everyone in Kenya pays taxes and everyone has a right to work in government. We want everyone to feel like a Kenyan. Those who don’t want to join the government should remain in politics and do it out here,” Junet said.
“Those who want to work in government should be given a chance to work.”
He was responding to allegations that the opposition party, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), had been compromised by the Kenya Kwanza government. The Suna East MP asserted that ODM remains committed to holding the government accountable, despite some members joining President William Ruto’s Cabinet.
Last week, Ruto appointed ODM deputy party leaders Hassan Joho and Wycliffe Oparanya, along with chairman John Mbadi and National Assembly minority leader Opiyo Wandayi, to various Cabinet positions. They will undergo vetting for the Mining, Cooperatives, National Treasury, and Energy portfolios, respectively.
According to Junet, these nominees are educated and experienced individuals who can help navigate the country out of its current challenges, and thus ODM has no issue with their appointments. He stated that the President sought the party’s support in governing the country, and that is exactly what they have provided.
However, Junet clarified that this does not indicate that ODM has joined the government, reaffirming that the party will continue its role as an opposition force.
“If they bring policies that will be bad for the people, as ODM we will reject.”
Speaking last week, Junet said the vetting committee will grill the CS nominees thoroughly.
He said that as legislators they will do justice to Kenyans.
“This time, if somebody is not suitable, capable and doesn’t have the capacity, we are going to throw them out. We must do justice to Kenyans. We must do our work properly this time,” he said.
