Junet Mohamed in a spot as Azimio plots House seats

Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition party will tomorrow meet in Machakos County to decide on candidates for its parliamentary leadership positions.

Raila Odinga's Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is set to produce National Assembly majority leader.

Former Minority Leader John Mbadi, former Minority Whip Junet Mohamed and Ugunja lawmaker Opiyo Wandayi are considered front runners for the slot.

However, The Standard has reliably learnt that there is opposition to Junet's candidacy for any parliamentary leadership position.

Junet has been under fire on social media that he was part of those who allegedly bungled Raila's campaigns, claims that Azimio refuted through a statement earlier in the week.

A source said the Suna East MP enjoys Raila's favour, but MPs have linked him to the Azimio leader's failed State House bid.

Lawmakers have also disparaged Junet on the party's social media platforms, forcing Azimio's leadership to intervene.

Raila, who is expected to come back from a trip abroad, is said to have reached out to ODM officials in a bid to extinguish the flames engulfing the Suna East MP.

"Some of them have vowed to walk out if Junet is handed any seat," the source said. "Anyone but Junet."

We could not reach Junet on phone to get his comments.

Wandayi Wednesday, September 14, said he was in the race to be Majority Leader, a task he described as "humbling."

"I think I can serve my party, my coalition and my country better if I get the chance," Wandayi said, arguing that Azimio is the majority coalition owing to number of MPs it secured in the August 9 polls.

Despite losing in the Speaker race to Kenya Kwanza Alliance, courtesy of a wave of defections, Azimio, on paper, enjoys more numbers because some parties that defected are yet to exit the coalition lawfully.

They include Maendeleo Chap Chap, Pamoja African Alliance, United Democratic Movement, Movement for Democracy and Growth and Kenya Union Party.

Azimio has 174 MPs against Kenya Kwanza's 162.

The Majority Leader is considered third most senior person in parliamentary rank after the Speaker and Deputy Speaker. Kenya Kwanza is understood to be fronting Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung'wa for the Majority/Minority leadership.

In his last interview, former Speaker Justin Muturi said Speaker Moses Wetang'ula would rule on which was the majority side in case a dispute arose.

The Constitution is clear that the majority party shall be the one with the most MPs.

In jurisdictions with the presidential system, such as the US, the majority party is usually the party with the most legislators, whether it produced the president.

In the Senate, Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang' is seeking to be minority leader, with Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi angling to deputise him.

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna is considered a favourite to land the Minority Whip position, with Raila's brother Oburu Oginga seeking to be nominated to the Parliamentary Service Commission.

Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo, who described tomorrow's meeting as one meant to review the election, said Kalonzo Musyoka's Wiper party would wait for determination of which side was the majority before expressing interest on the leadership positions.

"We will go to court if the wrong decision is made," Maanzo said. "But this debate will pose serious concerns. Azimio will be making decisions for Ruto because it is the majority that moves business in the House. The minority cannot move business."

The race for the position of Majority Whip has also attracted attention from MPs Emmanuel Wangwe (Navakholo), Sabina Chege (Nominated) and Kakamega Woman representative Elsie Muhanda.