"I Cannot Sit Together With Someone Like That": Junet Mohamed Explains Why He Skipped Raila's Anniversary

The National Assembly Minority Leader has said why he was not at Raila Odinga's first anniversary in Bondo. Junet Mohamed said he looked at the list of invited guests, saw Rigathi Gachagua's name, and decided not to attend. By the story's account, he put it in blunt terms: he could not sit together with someone like that, and Raila's spirit could not be in such a place.

The reason is unusually direct. Junet did not cite a scheduling clash or illness. He pointed to who else would be in the room, and framed his absence as a matter of principle tied to Raila's memory.

Gachagua's presence on the list is also reported in the story. It says Gachagua revealed that Raila's widow, Mama Ida Odinga, had invited him to the anniversary. The story does not say whether he attended, or how Mama Ida's family or ODM responded to Junet's remarks.

What the story cannot tell readers is why President William Ruto stayed away. Ruto continued with his North Rift Development tour, and the story notes he had earlier indicated he planned to attend. Junet spoke for himself, and the link to Ruto and his allies is the author's reading.