Suna East Member of Parliament (MP) Junet Mohamed was appointed to the Minority Whip position via an executive order from ODM party leader Raila Odinga, reports indicate.
While insiders revealed that the appointment is a reward for his loyalty, the MP has maintained that it is the result of tireless lobbying.
"Though many say that I was favoured, this is not the case because I lobbied just like any other MP and the coalition believed in me," Junet stated on Thursday.
[caption caption="MP Junet Mohamed with NASA leader Raila Odinga during his recent trip to Zanzibar"]
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Sources within the party argue that the National Super Alliance (NASA) leader considered Junet's abrasive nature as a strong point that will make marshalling the Opposition MPs to action.
Upon receiving the appointment, the lawmaker humbly cited it as a win for the Opposition in the National Assembly.
"It is not a Junet affair, the party believes that I have the wherewithal to push its agenda in the 12th Parliament. Now you can be sure that the party will regain its traction," he charged.
The appointment has, however, not augured well with Coast region MPs who have demanded that the position should be given to Msambweni MP Suleiman Dori.
Mvita MP Abdulswamad Shariff had even revealed that a deal had been ratified between the MPs and Mr Odinga.
"Coast MPs have unanimously agreed to give the Minority Whip position to Suleiman Dori," Mr Shariff stated.
Similar discontent has been expressed by MPs from the Amani National Congress who have accused the Orange party of violating coalition agreements.
"We have a coalition agreement in Nasa that treats all the parties as equals. What we want as NASA members is that this position should be the guiding principle in the allocation of seats even in committees," Lugari MP Ayub Savula explained.
MP Junet Mohamed has been pictured alongside Mr Odinga during private moments, notably during the Opposition chief's recent trip to Zanzibar as well as on October 26 when the Opposition boycotted the repeat poll.
[caption caption="MP Junet Mohamed with NASA leader Raila Odinga on October 26"]
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