Junet explains why he skipped Raila's first death anniversary event

Speaking in West Pokot County, Junet criticised Gachagua, saying he could not share a platform with him at a gathering meant to honour Raila.

“Wakati nimeangalia list ya wale wamealikwa, nikaona mtu anaitwa Gachagua. Nikasema siwezi kukaa mahali moja na mtu kama huyo. Spirit ya Baba haiwezi kukaa pahali kama hiyo. Mtu wa chuki na ukabila na mambo kama hiyo,” Junet said.

Gachagua, who has been on a US tour over the past two months, expressed regret for missing the memorial after receiving an invitation from Mama Ida Odinga, but paid tribute to Raila, describing him as the father of democracy and a defender of human rights.

Junet also took a swipe at former President Uhuru Kenyatta, who failed to attend the memorial, comparing the absence to what he described as abandoning Raila during the 2022 General Election.

“Sponsor alihepa sisi jana vile alihepa Baba wakati wa uchaguzi. Nimeona kiti iliwekwa pale, nikaona jamaa hatafika, kumbe ni kawaida yake. Vile alituchorea 2022 akatuhepa ndo tena akahepa maombolezi,” he remarked. 

President William Ruto, in remarks touching on criticism from Uhuru’s political camp, challenged leaders to explain their manifesto instead of focusing on slogans calling for his removal.

“Wanajaribu kutuuzia wivu, shida ni wale yao walishindwa, barabara walishindwa tumetengeneza, uchumi walishindwa tumetengeneza,” Ruto said.

He insisted that leaders should be judged on their performance and plans for the country.

“You cannot escape accountability, you can't escape responsibility. Kenyans want to hold every leader to account, what your plan is. Don't tell us Kasongo must go,” he added. 

Junet’s remarks came against the backdrop of growing divisions between leaders supporting the broad-based government arrangement and those aligned with the Linda Mwananchi movement and the United Opposition.

The tensions were evident at the memorial, where rival groups traded political slogans, with supporters of the broad-based government chanting “Tutam” while opposition-leaning leaders and their supporters rallied behind “Wantam”.

Other notable absentees included Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga and ODM Deputy Party Leader Abdulswamad Nassir.

ODM Deputy Party Leader Simba Arati defended the party’s continued participation in the broad-based government, saying members who disagreed with the arrangement were free to leave.

Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi also maintained that the region remained an ODM stronghold aligned with party leader Oburu Oginga and President Ruto.

Meanwhile, leaders associated with the Linda Mwananchi movement and the United Opposition used the occasion to reaffirm their commitment to the political legacy of Raila, with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and Siaya Governor James Orengo among those calling for continued resistance to the current administration.