Junet backs Ruto's broad-based government

National Assembly Minority Whip Junet Mohammed. [File, Standard]

National Assembly Minority Whip Junet Mohammed has welcomed President William Ruto's decision to establish a broad-based government.

Speaking in Loosuk village, Samburu county, on Monday during the burial of the late Michael Lesepe, father to his bodyguard Ben Lesepe, Junet said ODM has good intentions and the party leader Raila Odinga is a true statesman.

“We support the establishment of a broad-based government. Our four colleagues who have joined the government as Cabinet Secretaries are going to work for the people of Kenya,” said the Suna East MP.

The Suna East MP said Raila was keen on fighting discrimination in government.

“Raila Odinga is our leader, we support him and his intentions of having a country that is just and takes care of the interests of all Kenyans irrespective of their tribe, political and religious affiliation, we will fight for the rights of Kenyans within the current government,” he said.

The Minority Whip was reacting to the nomination to Cabinet of ODM national chairman John Mbadi, deputy party leaders Hassan Joho and Wycliffe Oparanya and National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi.

Addressing mourners, Samburu West MP Naisula Lesuuda said it was okay for ODM to join Kenya Kwanza government but challenged its leadership to show respect to former President Uhuru Kenyatta who stood with them in the run-up to the 2022 General Election.

“It is right for ODM to team up with Kenya Kwanza to form a broad-based government but we urge its leaders to respect Uhuru Kenyatta who stood by them in the past,” she said.

East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Suleiman Shabal welcomed the establishment of the broad-based government, saying that the working arrangement between President William Ruto and Raila will address the political and economic crisis facing the country.

“As a landlord, when the house is on fire, you cannot go to the tenant to ask where the fire started, you first help the tenant to put out the fire then ask questions later,” he said.

Samburu Senator Steve Lelegwe welcomed the broad-based government saying it was time for President Ruto and Raila to deliver to Kenyans.

“Let us all now focus on uplifting the lives of Kenyans. What Kenyans need, including the people of Samburu is development and peace, we support the new political arrangement between Ruto and Raila,” he said.