Uhuru Kenyatta Blamed for Destroying ODM Amid Escalating Party Wrangles.
National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed has escalated his criticism of former President Uhuru Kenyatta, directly blaming him for orchestrating the ongoing internal conflicts plaguing the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
Speaking in Lamu County on February 12, 2026, the Suna East MP dismissed claims that President William Ruto or the broad-based government arrangement was behind the party's turmoil, instead pointing the finger squarely at Kenyatta. He urged the former head of state to stay out of ODM affairs and concentrate on his Jubilee Party and other personal political projects, including what he called the "Matiang'i project."
Junet asserted that the chaos in ODM, which intensified after the death of party founder Raila Odinga in October 2025, stems from Kenyatta's interference. He accused the former president of sponsoring dissenting voices within the party to sow division, particularly amid factional splits: one group favoring continued alignment with Ruto's administration, and another pushing for ODM to pursue an independent path and field its own presidential candidate in 2027. The MP stated bluntly: “The problem we have in ODM is not about the broad-based government or President William Ruto. The problem we have is that former president Uhuru Kenyatta. He is the one destroying our party.” He added: “I want to ask you to please leave our party alone. You have your Jubilee party, you have refused to retire... Please do your job and leave us alone.”
The accusations come against the backdrop of recent dramatic developments in ODM, including the attempted ouster of Secretary General Edwin Sifuna on February 11, 2026, which was temporarily blocked by a High Court order the following day. Junet's own removal as Azimio coalition Secretary General in early February—during a meeting reportedly chaired by Kenyatta—further fuels his grievances. While Siaya Governor James Orengo had previously blamed Ruto for the wrangles, Junet rejected that narrative, insisting Kenyatta remains the central figure fueling the instability as ODM grapples with leadership vacuum and competing visions ahead of future elections.
