Junet: ODM should prepare for thousands of new members

Suna East Member of Parliament Junet Mohamed/FILESuna East MP Junet Mohamed has urged Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) members to prepare for an influx of new leaders and supporters, saying thousands of people are attracted to the party.

This follows the entry of Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja into ODM, describing him as the first of many leaders from across the country expected to join the party.

In a statement, the MP called on members and supporters to welcome those seeking to join the party, citing its commitment to national unity and economic development.

“We have today received Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja to our party, being the first of many leaders across the country who will in due course join our democratic movement,” he said.

Junet said Sakaja had worked cordially with ODM members in Nairobi, including county assembly members and party members appointed to his county cabinet.

“Governor Sakaja has worked cordially with our county assembly members, who form the majority in Nairobi County Assembly, as well as the many ODM members we seconded to his cabinet,” he said.

He said ODM’s appeal was anchored in its support for national unity, rapid economic transformation and a well-governed multiparty democratic state.

“I urge party members and supporters to be ready to receive the thousands attracted to our party because of what we stand for,” Junet added.

He declared the party’s readiness to strengthen its presence in Nairobi.

Earlier, Nairobi Governor Sakaja ditched the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) for ODM in a major political realignment ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Sakaja was officially welcomed to ODM on Monday, November 2, at the party headquarters, Chungwa House, in Nairobi, by senior officials led by Deputy Party Leader Simba Arati.

The move comes after weeks of speculation about his political future, with the governor increasingly associating himself with ODM activities and leaders.

His latest public signal came on Saturday, October 31, when he attended an ODM rally at Jacaranda Grounds, where he asked Nairobi residents to guide his political direction.

Speaking after joining the party, Sakaja attributed his decision to the influence of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, ODM’s founding leader.

“Baba [Raila Odinga] is the one who told me to join ODM,” Sakaja said.

His entry into the opposition party introduces a new dimension to the contest for Nairobi’s gubernatorial seat, particularly over who will secure the party’s nomination.

Former aide to the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Silas Jakakimba, rejoined ODM after leaving UDA.

Jakakimba announced his return to ODM on Monday saying the decision followed consultations within the broad-based political arrangement and reflected the aspirations of residents of Suba North Constituency, where he intends to contest the parliamentary seat in 2027.

He said residents had called for a change in leadership and development priorities, adding that the growing support for the broad-based political arrangement informed his decision to seek the seat on an ODM ticket.

“Alignment consultations from and with the highest rank and file of our broad-based sister parties, the ruling UDA party formation and the ODM party, pursuant to that popular desire by the great people of Suba North, have today yielded to the necessary move to execute our aspiration to represent the people of Suba North Constituency, still within the broad-based family and on the Orange Democratic Movement Party platform,” he said.