Suna East MP Junet Mohamed, once the untouchable "Sultan" of the Opposition, finds himself in a lonely political wilderness. His fervent support for the "Broad-Based Government"—the cooperation pact between ODM and President Ruto’s UDA—has earned him enemies in his own party and skepticism from his new friends in government.

The latest humiliation, described by insiders as a "State House slap," occurred last week when Junet was reportedly kept waiting for hours at a State House function, only to be denied a speaking slot. It was a symbolic demotion for a man who used to control the diary of the former Prime Minister.

The War Within ODM

Junet is caught in the crossfire of ODM’s internal civil war. On one side is the faction led by Secretary General Edwin Sifuna and Siaya Governor James Orengo, who argue that ODM must remain a pure opposition party to hold the government accountable. On the other side are the "cooperationists" like Junet, who believe the party’s survival depends on accessing state resources.

• The "Traitor" Tag: At recent ODM rallies in Nyanza, Junet has faced heckling. His base views his closeness to Ruto as a betrayal of the "Baba" legacy. "He sold us to the enemy," remarked a delegate at a stormy party meeting in Migori.
• The Government's Pawn: Conversely, the UDA wing of the government views Junet with suspicion. They see him as a "Trojan Horse"—useful for passing bills in Parliament, but not to be trusted with real power. The snub at State House was a reminder: he is a guest, not a resident.

Fighting for Survival

Junet has tried to downplay the rift, insisting that "ODM is not for sale." However, his influence is waning. Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo recently urged Junet and Sifuna to "desist from public verbal slurs," a sign that the infighting is hurting the party's image.

With the 2027 chessboard being set, Junet faces a stark choice: retreat to the backbenches and rebuild his opposition credentials, or double down on the government alliance and risk losing his seat. For now, the man who famously said "the cow is in the slaughterhouse" is finding that he might be next on the chopping block.