What You Need to Know
Suna East MP Junet Mohamed has criticized media coverage of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), urging for fairness and accuracy. He highlighted that negative framing distorts public perception and fails to reflect the party’s stability. Junet emphasized that dissent within the party is normal and should not be exaggerated, advocating for a more balanced portrayal of ODM’s internal dynamics.
Africa-Press – Kenya. Suna East MP Junet Mohamed addressing the public.Suna East Member of Parliament Junet Mohamed has criticised the media for what he termed as unfair and disproportionate coverage of the Orange Democratic Movement, urging journalists to uphold balance and accuracy when reporting on the party’s affairs.
Speaking during a press briefing at Chungwa House on Thursday, Junet expressed concern that repeated negative framing risks distorting public perception of ODM, despite its size and political history.
He argued that the party, which has been active for two decades, deserves fair treatment from the press.
“I also want the media to be fair to ODM. You have been very very unkind and unfair to ODM. ODM is a huge party. It is a party of 20 years old,” he said.
The MP pointed to what he described as a pattern where isolated disagreements within the party are magnified and presented as evidence of a broader internal crisis. According to Junet, such reporting lacks proportionality and fails to reflect the party’s overall stability.
“When three or four members dissent, you cannot say that the party is in problems or chaos. We are a party of 109 Members of Parliament, and only four people, when you cover their press conference, you say the party is in disarray,” he added.
His remarks come at a time when ODM has recently faced public scrutiny over differing positions taken by some of its members.
Two factions that have emerged, one being led by Siaya Senator, Oburu Oginga, while the other being led by Nairobi Senator, Edwin Sifuna, have raised questions if the party have internal wrangles.
Junet said that these differences, often aired through press conferences and public statements, have attracted significant media attention, with some outlets framing them as signs of internal wrangles.
He, however, dismissed these claims, maintaining that dissent is a normal feature of democratic political parties. He argued that highlighting a handful of dissenting voices without contextualising the broader party structure misleads the public and undermines confidence in the party.
He further emphasised that ODM remains one of the largest political parties in the country, with a substantial representation in Parliament and a strong grassroots network. For this reason, he said, coverage should reflect both the scale and diversity of views within the party rather than focusing narrowly on conflict.
Junet’s direct appeal has signalled a strategic effort by ODM to influence how its internal dynamics are portrayed to the public.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, the relationship between political parties and the media is expected to remain under scrutiny.
For ODM, Junet’s remarks highlight an ongoing effort to assert its image as a stable and cohesive party, even as internal debates continue to surface in the public domain.
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has been a significant player in Kenyan politics since its formation in 2005, advocating for democratic governance and social justice. Over the years, the party has faced various challenges, including internal disagreements and public scrutiny, which have often been amplified by media coverage. This ongoing tension between political parties and media representation is crucial in shaping public perception and trust in political institutions in Kenya. Junet Mohamed’s recent comments reflect a broader concern among political leaders regarding the impact of media narratives on party image and public confidence.
