- Junet is said to have been tasked to explain why he should not be punished for his alleged dwindling commitment to the party.
- The Suna East MP who was vocal ahead of the August 9, 2022 elections went under after the ODM boss lost the Presidency.
Image: FILE/ HANDOUT
Former Mombasa Governor and ODM deputy party leader Hassan Joho has rebuked an alleged plan to 'discipline' Suna East MP Junet Mohamed.
Hot on the heels of reports that the Raila Odinga-led party has written a show-cause letter to the MP who was viewed as a darling and favourite for the opposition chief, Joho has rallied behind Junet.
In response to the reports, the former Mombasa Governor took to his X platform on Sunday to describe the alleged plan as "Completely unnecessary and uncalled for! "
Reports indicate that the ODM party has threatened to strip the Suna East MP of his minority whip post for repeatedly missing party meetings and functions.
Junet is said to have been tasked to explain why he should not be punished for his alleged dwindling commitment to the party.
Standing Order No. 2 of the National Assembly provides for a Member designated by a parliamentary party as its whip for the purposes of the transaction of business in the National Assembly or Senate.
As the Minority whip, Junet is tasked with ensuring that Azimio members at the National Assembly attend to House business particularly when there is contentious business to be transacted to ensure the party’s policy stance or agenda is passed.
In addition, it is Junet's mandate to select Members who will serve in various committees of the house and at the same time enforce party discipline.
The Suna East MP who was vocal ahead of the August 9, 2022 elections went under after the ODM boss lost the Presidency.
Junet had emerged as one of Raila's inner circle MPs who called the shots and shaped his fifth attempt at the Presidency.
Ahead of the polls, Junet would address the media numerous times and use his social media to face anyone who rattled the ODM boss.
He often attended nearly all rallies graced by the ODM leader and was one of the key speakers who led onslaughts against the candidature of President William Ruto, then Raila's chief rival.
But after the 2022 polls, Junet has cut an image of a private politician and hardly courts controversy as he would before in defence of the ODM party and Raila.
Since the ODM party launched its recruitment drive in some parts of the country, the Suna East MP has been conspicuously missing.
This has sparked questions among party stalwarts who have been concerned with his commitment to the party.
But even as questions abound about Junet's future, Joho is not the only ODM leader opposed to the plot to punish Junet.
Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai has slammed the plan terming it an intrigue of some officials working for the Kenya Kwanza government.
In yet another confirmation of division rocking one of Kenya's oldest parties, Alai promised a grueling battle against those after Junet saying they would be in for a rude shock.
"Kenya Kwanza agents in ODM have started their schemes with their "show-cause " letters. Hey, agents of Kenya Kwanza, this is ODM. You are yet to get the baptism by fire. Don't underrate ODM, please. Mtashangaa!" he said in a post on the X platform Sunday.
But could Junet's conspicuous absence at ODM functions be a valid reason to strip him of his influential role in the party?