- The ODM leader is silently crafting political machine ahead of 2022.
- Part of strategy is courting new faces from the regions to consolidatehis grasp.
Image: TWITTER/RAILA ODINGA
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s ODM is working on a new political machine bringing on board new faces for the high stakes 2022 General Elections.
Raila's strategy emerged as the moribund Nasa coalition, which was hanging by a thread, has collapsed after partners announced a new alliance.
For the first time, Nasa partners Musalia Mudavadi (ANC), Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper) and Moses Wetangula (Ford Kenya) on Thursday unveiled the One Kenya Alliance — officially divorcing ODM.
The One Kenya Alliance that includes Kanu chairman Gideon Moi is said to have the blessings of a section of President Uhuru Kenyatta's power brokers.
Those close to the President are said to be keen to propel the One Kenya Alliance to diminish Raila and exclude him from Uhuru's 2022 succession matrix.
There is also talk of a plan to bring on board Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho, Kilifi's Amason Kingi and Kwale county boss Salim Mvurya as part of the elaborate scheme to isolate and humiliate Raila.
The three governors on Wednesday held a surprise meeting with Uhuru at State House Nairobi, which jolted Raila's camp.
The meeting was said to have caught Raila and his allies off-guard; they already have jitters about Uhuru playing hidden cards to vanquish Raila in his stronghold.
"Truly, Jakom was not briefed before the meeting. He had to call Joho later about it. But they explained the agenda saying it was about coastal development," a senior ODM official told the Star on condition of anonymity.
Joho is Raila's deputy in ODM and point man at the Coast. He has declared he will run for president on the Orange Party ticket, while Kingi is planning to unveil is own party.
The latest moves follow ODM's humiliating loss in the Matungu by-election in which its candidate David Were was floored by ANC's Peter Nabulindo.
ODM officials had accused the 'deep state; and Jubilee operatives of propping up ANC in Matungu to weaken Raila's prospects in the region.
Jubilee has also decided to field a candidate in the Bonchari by-election on May 18 despite ODM's hopes that Uhuru would drop out of the contest to give them a head start.
Tellingly, Kanu on Thursday announced it had withdrawn its candidate in favour of Jubilee's Zebedeo Opore, complicating Raila's game plan to win the seat and strengthen his support in the Gusii region.
“We have pulled out of the elections and want to give Jubilee a sure win in Bonchari,” Gideon, the Baringo senator and Kanu boss, said.
Unsettled by the One Kenya Alliance and fears Raila was falling out of favour within Uhuru's men, ODM announced it is ready to craft a new alliance.
"Knowing that partnerships are an essential part of our politics, the Orange Democratic Movement is also working on a broader, better and bolder alliance that will shake the country and shape the politics of the land for years to come,” ODM secretary general Edwin Sifuna said.
He went on in a statement, “The post-BBI alliance ODM is working on will be fresh, strong, vibrant and packed with men and women who can stand on their own and give birth to a new nation post-BBI."
The ODM reacted hours after Musalia, Kalonzo, Wetang'ula and Gideon paraded close allies at a press conference and announced the unveiling of the One Kenya Alliance.
The move by the old Nasa principals now gives Raila leeway to craft his own formation 15 months to the 2022General Election.
The Orange party which has had run-ins with its coalition partners – ANC, Ford Kenya and Wiper – announced it is forging an alliance that will shape 2022 politics.
ODM chairman John Mbadi poured cold water on the One Kenya Alliance, saying is too weak to form the next government.
“This line-up of Kalonzo, Musalia, Gideon cannot win presidency without Raila or Ruto. That is an arrangement that cannot win the presidency, no matter who supports them," Mbadi said.
He went on, " They have no muscle to mount a presidential campaign to create the kind of support that will lead anyone to State House."
It is understood Raila is actively courting several regional heavyweights to replace Nasa coalition partners who have found a home in the One Kenya Alliance.
Said to be in Raila's new arithmetic are the the three Ukambani governors — Alfred Mutua (Machakos), Kivutha Kibwana (Makueni) and Kitui's Charity Ngilu — and former UNCTDA boss Mikhisa Kituyi.
ODM insiders have in the past claimed betrayal by the President’s men and top civil servants who are engaged in his succession plans.
Well aware of the possible betrayal, the Opposition chief is keen on wooing new allies and consolidating his traditional support bases, especially Western and Coast that have lately experienced political turbulence.
However, party lieutenants are putting on a brave face.
“What politics could be discussed there? One governor is in ODM, another in Yangatanga and the other wants to form his own party. I don’t think there was any politics at play,” Mvita MP Abdulswamad Nassir said.
Mbadi said the President is free to meet everyone in any part of the country.
“President Uhuru Kenyatta is not a candidate in 2022. Why would he be a problem to us and to Raila? And who said Uhuru cannot meet governors from any area? He has been meeting people."
(Edited by V. Graham)