Kioni Accuses Junet of Betraying Azimio During Parliamentary Majority Fight

Jubilee Party Secretary-General Jeremiah Kioni has accused Suna East MP Junet Mohamed of betraying the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition during the struggle to control the National Assembly following the 2022 General Election.

Speaking in an interview on Thursday, January 8, 2026, Kioni said Junet failed to support Azimio during key moments, including public demonstrations and parliamentary battles aimed at securing recognition as the majority coalition.

“We in Azimio were also betrayed by Junet Mohamed. He never participated in our demonstrations or the fight for the parliamentary majority. When we finally won, he worked with Wetang’ula to block the judgment. Today, he sits as a minority leader speaking for the majority. In parliamentary committees, he was responsible for giving slots meant for Jubilee members to other parties,” Kioni said.

The claims stem from a long-running dispute over which coalition holds the majority in the National Assembly. Following the 2022 elections, Azimio maintained it had more seats based on pre-election coalition agreements submitted to the Registrar of Political Parties.

However, Speaker Moses Wetang’ula declared Kenya Kwanza the majority coalition in October 2022, citing post-election defections that shifted the balance of power.

This decision positioned Junet Mohamed as Minority Leader, representing the opposition in the National Assembly. 

Despite a ruling on majority status, the Speaker maintained that Kenya Kwanza still held more members, leaving Junet in the Minority Leader role.

Kioni’s remarks point to mounting tensions within Azimio, particularly involving leaders from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), the party formerly led by the late Raila Odinga.

According to Kioni, Junet’s actions weakened coalition unity during protests against the government and during negotiations over parliamentary leadership and committee representation.

“The decisions made within parliamentary committees disadvantaged Jubilee Party members and further strained relations within the opposition,” Kioni said,

Kioni also raised broader concerns about the state of Kenya’s opposition, noting a shift from its original purpose of championing citizen interests.

“I don’t understand how the opposition, once a loud platform of hope for Kenyans, is now branded tribalist. Kenyans reject that label. In Azimio, we must be guided by Baba’s spirit; the time will come for us to name our presidential candidate since others are doing the same,” he said.

Political analysts note that the dispute highlights deeper divisions within the opposition, with competition over parliamentary committee positions and leadership roles threatening cohesion.

Some observers argue that unresolved internal tensions could affect the opposition’s ability to present a united front ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Junet Mohamed has previously defended his actions, stating that his decisions were guided by the need to represent opposition interests effectively within parliament.

However, Kioni’s latest remarks suggest that disagreements over loyalty and strategic direction continue to simmer.

The Azimio coalition, formed ahead of the 2022 elections, has been navigating complex internal dynamics since the passing of Raila Odinga in October 2025.

Leaders are now tasked with balancing respect for Odinga’s legacy with the practical demands of opposition politics, including coalition negotiations and preparations for the next general election.