Junet: Uhuru is planning to invest Sh1 billion to ‘revamp’ ODM

By Newsflash Writer

National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed has sensationally claimed that former President Uhuru Kenyatta is planning to invest more than Sh1 billion into the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) as part of efforts to “revamp” and politically re-energise the party ahead of 2027 general elections.

Junet, who is also the Suna East MP, made the remarks while addressing residents in his backyard on Wednesday, December 24, linking the claims to his recent fallout with Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, one of ODM’s deputy party leaders. According to Junet, it was Osotsi who privately revealed the alleged plan involving the former Head of State.

Junet links claims to Osotsi fallout

Narrating the events, Junet said Osotsi invited him to Kisumu earlier in the week, where he allegedly outlined what he described as a new political strategy for ODM. The meeting, Junet said, took place last Monday evening amid growing internal disagreements within the party.

“Recently, one of the people making noise [within the party] invited me to Kisumu. He told me, ‘my brother, there are good plans of our party I want to inform you about. There is no need of us continuing supporting President William Ruto. Let’s leave these broad-based issues,’” Junet told locals.

“He told me: ‘We have a very good plan. Former President Uhuru Kenyatta wants to help us in our ODM party. He is ready to invest over Sh1 billion in our party so that it can become solid and vibrant politically. We shall emerge the winner in the next elections if we join the United Opposition,’” Junet said.

United Opposition pitch revealed

Junet further claimed that Osotsi attempted to persuade him to abandon ODM’s cooperation with President William Ruto’s administration and instead align with the emerging United Opposition. According to Junet, Osotsi argued that Uhuru’s influence and financial support would be enough to reposition ODM as a dominant opposition force.

“He told me that he knows many of us in ODM do not want Wamunyoro [a reference to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua]. Let’s leave Rigathi and follow Uhuru to join the United Opposition,” Junet said, dismissing the proposal.

Efforts by Newsflash to reach Senator Osotsi to verify or deny Junet’s claims were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to calls or enquiries by the time of publishing this report.

ODM factions deepen

Political analysts say Junet’s remarks highlight deepening factional divisions within ODM at a time when the party is struggling to maintain unity following its engagement with President Ruto’s broad-based government.

ODM is currently split into two main camps. One faction supports cooperation with Ruto’s administration, arguing that it offers stability and national cohesion. The rival camp is gravitating towards the United Opposition, insisting the party should maintain a firm opposition stance.

Junet, alongside ODM national chairperson Oburu Oginga, Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga and other leaders, has emerged as a vocal defender of President Ruto and the broad-based arrangement. On the other hand, a rival faction led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has been strongly opposed to the UDA–ODM partnership, warning it could dilute the party’s identity.

Senator Osotsi has also consistently opposed the partnership, further entrenching the internal rift that analysts say could shape ODM’s political direction ahead of the next general election.