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| Minority Party Junet Mohamed |
National Assembly Leader of the Minority Party Junet Mohamed has denied reports that he is angling for the Interior Cabinet Secretary position.
There have been reports that the ODM party could land one more CS slot in President William Ruto’s broad-based government, with Junet’s name prominently featured.
Last week, parliament approved Interior CS Kithure Kindiki to succeed impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua as the country’s second in command.
With the Interior CS portfolio expected to fall vacant once Kindiki assumes the office of the DP, Junet denied that he is lobbying for the position.
The Suna East MP denied that he is neither interested in the CS slot nor has former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s party submitted his name to President Ruto for consideration.
“In this context, I have been made aware of unfounded innuendoes to the effect that I have shown interest in the position of Cabinet Secretary for Internal Security and National Administration and, or, that the ODM Party has submitted my name for consideration in such a role,” Junet said in a statement on Saturday.
“Whereas an opportunity to serve fellow Kenyans in any capacity is always welcome, I wish to inform the public that I am neither one of the people angling for the job nor has the ODM Party shown any interest in seeking to have another party expert join the government in that capacity,” Junet said in a statement on Saturday.
The MP, one of Raila’s close confidants, said he is currently contented with his role in the National Assembly, a position he argued is equally powerful and important.
“In any case, I have just recently assumed the leadership of the Minority Party in the National Assembly which is an equally very important constitutional office in our governance architecture. I do hope this clarification puts the matter to rest and allows the country to focus on more important concerns,” Junet said.
The MP said that President Ruto will continue to broaden his government to conform to Kenyans’ wishes regarding national inclusion, service delivery, governance, democracy, and stability.
“I do hope this clarification puts the matter to rest and allows the country to focus on more important concerns,” Junet added.
There are reports of far-reaching changes in government expected to be done once the court process challenging Gachagua’s removal from office is complete.
There is expected to arise a vacancy in the Interior Ministry should Kindiki assume office as DP.
This will make two of the CSs slots vacant after MPs rejected the approval of Stella Soi as CS for Gender during the vetting process.
by JAMES MBAKA