Junet Mohamed Firmly Denies Interior CS Speculation, Dismisses ODM Nomination Claims

National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed has issued a decisive statement refuting speculation about his potential appointment as Interior Cabinet Secretary.

The rumors had suggested that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party might secure an additional Cabinet position in President William Ruto's inclusive government, with Junet as a leading candidate. The discussion around the Interior CS position gained momentum following Parliament's recent approval of Interior CS Kithure Kindiki to replace the impeached Rigathi Gachagua as Deputy President. However, the Suna East MP has emphatically dismissed any suggestion of his involvement in lobbying for the position, clarifying that neither he nor the ODM party has put forward his name for consideration.

In a detailed statement released Saturday, Junet addresses the speculation directly, saying"I have been made aware of unfounded innuendoes regarding my supposed interest in the position of Cabinet Secretary for Internal Security and National Administration. While public service is always an honor, I must clarify that I am not pursuing this position, nor has ODM proposed my candidacy for such a role."

Junet, a close associate of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, expresses satisfaction with his current parliamentary role and emphasizes its constitutional significance in Kenya's governance structure. He acknowledges President Ruto's efforts to create a more inclusive government that better reflects national unity and promotes effective service delivery. The political landscape is expected to undergo significant changes once legal proceedings challenging Gachagua's removal conclude. Should Kindiki transition to the Deputy Presidency, the Interior Ministry position will become vacant.

This vacancy would occur alongside the existing opening in the Gender Ministry, following Parliament's rejection of Stella Soi's nomination. Despite her extensive public service background, the appointments committee cited concerns about Soi's understanding of the gender portfolio and her professional history as factors in their decision. President William Ruto's nomination of Kithure Kindiki as Deputy President received overwhelming support in the National Assembly, with 236 MPs voting in favor of the appointment following Rigathi Gachagua's removal from office.

According to Nyaribari Masaba MP Daniel Manduku, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) yesterday put forward Junet Mohamed as their preferred candidate to succeed Kindiki in the Interior Cabinet Secretary position. This revelation came from the MP during a K24 panel discussion where he also suggested that Kindiki may have already tendered his resignation to the President.