One Kenya Alliance critics are afraid of 2022 polls – Nambale MP

Leaders critical of the One Kenya Alliance are weak and afraid of the 2022 presidential contest, Nambale MP John Bunyasi has said.

Criticising the alliance bringing together ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi, Wiper’s Kalonzo Musyoka, Kanu’s Gideon Moi and Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetang'ula will not give any advantage to whoever plans to run against OKA, the MP said.

“Those fighting One Kenya Alliance want to destabilise the political formation which we have just created,” Bunyasi, an economist, said.

“Their objective is to scuttle it early with cheap propaganda. One Kenya Alliance has its own organisational structures to agree on who will be the leader of the alliance,” said the MP at his Sidende home in Nambale on Sunday while addressing the press.

He said some leaders, including those from Western Kenya, have been calling for the dissolution of OKA as they claim the new political outfit is composed of politicians who cannot match leaders such as  ODM’s Raila Odinga and Deputy President William Ruto.

Some leaders critical of the formation say OKA is composed of people keen on capturing power for selfish interest.

Nominated MP Geoffrey Osotsi, a Raila ally, in April said the Mudavadi, Kalonzo, Moi and Wetangula-led alliance would collapse before 2022 and called on its leaders to dismantle it.

According to Osotsi, OKA is “hot air” and has no capacity to face Raila or Ruto at the ballot.

The MP on April 6, said it will require enormous effort for OKA to dim Raila's political light. He said OKA cannot win a presidential contest in its current form.

“No one can isolate Raila unless you are coming from the moon,” the MP said.

“Raila and DP Ruto are political heavyweights in this country, we cannot dismiss that. So for OKA to seek to challenge them, means it has a lot to do,” he added.

Osotsi said Raila has proved his worth in the last three General Election by getting massive support across the country and has helmed a national party for many years unlike leaders forming OKA.

But Bunyasi said if it is true that OKA is weak, then those critical of it would be silent about its activities.

“If the alliance is weak, why are you fighting it? Those already declaring that they will not support our alliance do not have interests of the country at heart. They are afraid of One Kenya Alliance,” he said.

“OKA was started because the existing coalitions are not serving Kenyans to their expectations. A look at their policies shows they are people who have no vision and are only angling to secure positions for themselves,” he said.

Osotsi who has constantly criticised OKA is from Vihiga, Mudavadi’s home county.

The lawmaker said of all the OKA parties, only Kanu has a national outlook going by its history. He dismissed the rest of the parties as regional outfits.

Osotsi also dismissed claims that OKA offers a fresh start with new ideologies. He said its top leaders are all Kanu old hawks who were at the centre of the Independence party’s dictatorship and impunity.

He said OKA needs to strengthen itself at the grassroots first before thinking of facing off against Raila or DP Ruto.

In April, Vihiga Deputy Governor Patrick Saisi said Mudavadi, without the help of Raila, cannot win the presidency even if he forms an alliance with Kalonzo, Moi and Wetang'ula.

“Ford Kenya is only known in Bungoma and Trans Nzoia, Wiper and Kanu are in the same group. Gideon Moi was not able to deliver for BBI in Baringo, how will he deliver for Musalia to become the president? ” Saisi posed.

Buyasi also said for the country to prepare for the 2022 General Election in advance, the IEBC should be reconstituted as early as possible.

“What has been our biggest problem during every election is counting of votes. Kenyans know a lot of Mathematics but during elections we fail to count simple votes,” he said.

-Edited by SKanyara