Suna East Legislator and National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed has hit back at critics questioning the pace of development in regions that have historically remained in the opposition and have not enjoyed sustained national government support since independence.
Speaking during a public fundraiser at Midoti Mixed Secondary School in Suna East Constituency, Junet said it was misleading to judge development in opposition strongholds using the same standards as regions that have consistently aligned with successive governments.
“People questioning development in our areas forget that we have been in the opposition for sixty years, while others have been in government for the same period,” Junet said.
He argued that major development decisions and resource allocation have long been influenced by political alignment, leaving opposition regions at a disadvantage.
“Those taking pictures and posting online to mock us have been in government for sixty years. Can people who have been in opposition and those who have been in government really be treated the same?” he posed.
Junet cited Central Kenya, including Murang’a County, noting that development there has largely been driven by sustained national government investment rather than constituency-level initiatives alone.
“Murang’a has been in government for sixty years, and schools are still being built there. We were in the opposition. How can resources be shared fairly under those conditions?” he said.
Addressing residents of Midoti, Junet said ODM’s continued stay in government until 2027 was a democratic decision made in consultation with the people.
He defended ODM’s decision to join the Broad-Based Government with UDA a year ago, saying the move was aimed at correcting historical imbalances and unlocking development in previously marginalised regions.
“It is now that we can see the government beginning to work in our regions, even though challenges such as teacher recruitment still exist, but we have tried and employed our people”, Junet said.
Junet also dismissed calls for ODM to return to street protests, accusing some leaders of pushing opposition supporters into unrest while enjoying the benefits of stability.
“Some people want us to remain in the streets, to be teargassed or killed, while they sit comfortably planning development. This time, others will go to the streets, not us,” he said.
The legislator also addressed personal attacks, including accusations that he improperly employed his wife at the Social Health Authority (SHA).
He described such claims as politically motivated and driven by intimidation over his growing influence.
He said that the newspaper was all about Raila this and that, questioning his moves. But since his demise, they have now focused on him punching him left, right and centre.
“Those accusing me of employing my wife at SHA are intimidated by my growth. That is why all the focus in newspapers has been on me, especially after Raila passed,” Junet said.
The Suna East MP was accompanied by Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, who strongly defended the government’s economic and privatisation agenda, arguing that Kenya can no longer sustain debt-driven development.
Cheruiyot dismissed claims that the government was recklessly selling public assets, likening state corporations to resources that could be leveraged responsibly.
“If you have six cows, you are wealthy. Government assets like Safaricom and Kenya Pipeline are the government’s cows,” Cheruiyot said.
He said that after Parliament rejected higher taxes and borrowing became unsustainable, privatisation remained one of the few viable options to generate development funds.
“The government must look for alternative sources of revenue to fund development,” he said.
Cheruiyot accused opponents of privatisation, many of whom are from regions that have long benefited from government presence, of resisting reforms that could benefit underserved areas.
“Those opposing this already have good roads, electricity, and running water, while others are still struggling,” he said.
On the 2027 political roadmap, he noted that ODM leaders said the party had formed a committee to negotiate future political coalitions and had resolved not to return to the opposition.
The two noted that key development projects, including roads and stadiums, are ongoing, with the President expected to launch a major road project in February.
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