Suna East Member of Parliament Junet Mohamed has defended the swift installation of Siaya Senator Dr. Oburu Oginga as the new leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) following the death of his brother, Raila Odinga, saying the move was critical to preserving the party’s stability and cohesion.
Speaking on Citizen TV’s JKLive on Wednesday night, Junet argued that ODM could not afford a leadership vacuum at such a sensitive moment, describing the party as more than a conventional political outfit.
“ODM is not just an ordinary party. It is like a small government, and a government must always have continuity,” said Junet, who is also the National Assembly Minority Leader.
He explained that the immediate appointment of Oburu was meant to safeguard the party from internal confusion, power struggles, and possible fragmentation, warning that delays in leadership transitions often expose parties to unnecessary turmoil.
According to Junet, ODM’s national stature and influence make orderly leadership transitions not just desirable but necessary, especially during times of uncertainty.
“You cannot leave such a big party without leadership, even for a short time. Stability is key, and that is what the decision was about,” he added.
Junet also took the opportunity to caution against the practice of political parties absorbing or “swallowing” smaller outfits, saying history has shown such moves often weaken rather than strengthen political formations.
“You don’t need to swallow any party. When Jubilee swallowed other parties—14 of them before the 2017 election—it ended up becoming a shell,” he said.
He argued that Kenya’s 2010 Constitution fundamentally reshaped political engagement by promoting coalition politics rather than forced mergers, allowing parties to retain their identity while working together for common goals.
“The currency of politics today under the new Constitution is coalition building. You look at the strength of this party and the strength of the other party, they come together, and they form a government,” Junet explained.
The ODM lawmaker warned that attempts by one political party to dominate or absorb another often breed resentment and internal rebellion, ultimately undermining long-term unity.
“The swallowing is not anything that favours anyone. And if one were to swallow the other, I don’t think the end result will be good,” he said.
Junet’s remarks come amid heightened political realignments following Raila Odinga’s death, with ODM leaders seeking to reassure supporters that the party remains united, structured, and firmly anchored in Kenya’s evolving coalition-based political landscape.
