By Kuria Kimani
Junet Mohamed is a seasoned Kenyan legislator who represents Suna East Constituency in parliament. The close ally to former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, is a vocal politician known for his support for the Building Bridges Initiative. This article looks into the biography of the first Kenyan-Somali to win a seat in a predominantly Luo region.
Age and Place of Birth
Junet Mohamed celebrates his birthday on 25 October and as at 2020 he was 43 years old. He was born in a family that upheld Islamic beliefs, culture and traditions. Junet is the second born in his family, and has eight siblings. His father, Sheikh Nuh Mohamed originally hailed from Mandera county where most Kenyan Somalis reside. This was before he moved to Migori in pursuance of a wholesale business in the area.
Education Background
The lawmaker is a University of Nairobi graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. He joined the university upon completing his high school education in Lenana High School. Before then, he began his education in Migori Primary School.
Courtesy of parliament.go.ke
| Education Background: | |||
| From | To | Education Institution | Qualification |
| 2010 | 2011 | Woodvale Institute | Diploma in Business Management |
| 1992 | 1995 | Lenana High School | Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) |
| 1984 | 1991 | Mandera D.E.B. Primary School | Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) |
| Employment/Service History: | |||
| From | To | Employer/Institution | Position Held |
| March 2013 | To date | Kenya National Assembly | Member of Parliament, Suna East Constituency |
| September
2005 |
December 2008 |
Migori County Council | Nominated Councilor and Mayor |
| 2002 | 2013 | Self-Employed | Chief Executive Officer |
| Membership to Committees (11th Parliament): | |||
| From | To | Committee | Position Held |
| 2013 | 2017 | Departmental Committee on Energy, Communication & Information | Member |
| 2013 | 2017 | Public Accounts Committee | Member |
| Membership to Committees (12th Parliament): | |||
| From | To | Committee | Position Held |
| 2017 | To date | House Business Committee | Member |
| 2017 | To date | Public Accounts Committee | |
Career Journey
Just like most Kenyans, Hon. Mohamed did not pursue the course he studied in college. He drifted to the political arena. He based his campaigns around the time he has spent growing up in Migori and garnered support from his friends who rallied up more Luos to support his bid. In 2003, Junet Mohamed held the role of Migori town councillor which marked the genesis of his career in politics. Ten years later in the ballots, he overtook former influential politicians in the region such as Likowa Owino and John Pesa in the race for the MP seat. He won the elections in 2013 and in 2017, being offered another term as the Member of Parliament for Suna East. His political career in Nyanza has been immensely supported by Raila Odinga with whom he has a close friendship. The Suna East MP has been rallying up support across the country, most recently in Mandera, for the Building Bridges Initiative that seeks to amend Kenya’s constitution.
Hon. Mohamed serves as the minority leader in the National Assembly and represents his constituency on an Orange Democratic Movement ticket.
Personal Life
The minority leader is a Muslim by religion and is married to one, Deka Jamaa. The couple has five children who are often kept away from public scrutiny.
He has spent most of his time in Migori county, such that he is able to speak some Luo words and claims to understand the language comprehensively.
Net worth and Assets
The Member of Parliament makes an approximated Ksh 530,000 in salary per month. This comes with more allowances such as transport, housing, and entertainment. His father, Sheikh Nuh was a serious businessman who ran a wholesale business while raising his children in Migori. Information on whether the legislator runs other non-governmental ventures remains unavailable.
Contacts
Twitter – @JunetMohamed
