Jubilee Party Secretary-General Jeremiah Kioni has openly accused Suna East MP Junet Mohamed of betraying the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition during its tense fight for control of the National Assembly after the 2022 General Election.

Speaking during a media interview on Thursday, Kioni claimed that Junet failed to stand with the opposition coalition at crucial moments when unity was most needed. 

According to him, Azimio leaders faced resistance both on the streets and inside Parliament as they pushed to be recognised as the majority side.

Kioni alleged that while Azimio organised protests and legal efforts to assert its numbers in the House, Junet remained distant. 

He said the ODM legislator did not take part in demonstrations meant to pressure institutions to recognise Azimio as the rightful majority coalition.

“He was not present when the coalition needed him,” Kioni said, adding that Junet later worked closely with National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula to frustrate a court decision that had briefly favoured Azimio’s position.

The Jubilee official further claimed that Junet’s role as Minority Leader allowed him to influence key parliamentary processes in ways that disadvantaged Jubilee Party members. 

According to Kioni, committee slots that were meant for Jubilee lawmakers were instead allocated to MPs from other parties, deepening mistrust within the coalition.

The disagreement traces back to the disputed majority question that emerged shortly after the 2022 elections. 

Azimio maintained that pre-election coalition agreements, officially submitted to the Registrar of Political Parties, gave it the numbers to control the House.

However, Speaker Wetang’ula ruled in favour of Kenya Kwanza, arguing that post-election defections had shifted the balance. 

Despite court challenges and political pressure, the Speaker stood by his position, leaving Junet as the official Minority Leader.

Kioni’s remarks highlight growing cracks within Azimio, especially between Jubilee and sections of ODM, the party long associated with the late Raila Odinga. 

He suggested that internal divisions weakened the opposition’s ability to challenge the government effectively.

Beyond the blame game, Kioni expressed concern about the image of the opposition, saying it had lost its voice and direction. He questioned why a movement once seen as a national platform was now viewed through ethnic lenses.

Calling for unity, Kioni urged Azimio leaders to remain guided by Raila Odinga’s political values and legacy. 

He added that the coalition would, in time, agree on its future leadership and presidential candidate as it prepares for the next political contest.