Why Raila is using governors to drive 2022 campaigns

Influential governors, mostly serving their second terms, are key players in ODM leader Raila Odinga’s 2022 campaigns as he aims to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta.

The county bosses, according to pundits, have lined up resources to support the former Prime Minister who is making a fifth stab at the country's top post.

Political analyst and lawyer Danstan Omari said Raila stands to benefit immensely from the deep pockets of the county chiefs backing him.

The strategy, according to the city lawyer, is pegged to governors' ability to amass war chests as well as acquire the wherewithal to market Raila in their regions.

They also expect rewards

Twenty-two governors have their terms constitutionally ending in 2022. A handful is toying with going for the presidency or being the running mates of big names

“Raila’s campaign is governors-oriented, DP William Ruto’s campaign is MPs-oriented. There is a likelihood that Raila will succeed in his strategy because a governor will fund ward rep, MP, MCA and a senator,” Omari said.

He added, “While Ruto’s MPs cannot fund anyone apart from themselves, that strategy is likely to succeed to the extent that all the five out of six will be funded the governor, that is why Raila Odinga is more focused on the governors.”

With the presidential race shaping up to be a duel between Deputy President William Ruto and Raila, the governors have gone full throttle campaigning for the ODM leader on their turf where most wield immense influence.

In Raila's corner is a host of influential governors led by Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, Ndiritu Muriithi (Laikipia), Francis Kimemia (Nyandarua), Lee Kinyanjui (Nakuru), Hassan Joho (Mombasa), Kiraitu Murungi (Meru), Martin Wambora (Embu) and Muthomi Njuki (Tharaka Nithi).

Also in Raila’s camp are Joseph ole Lenku (Kajiado), Charity Ngilu (Kitui), Alfred Mutua (Machakos), James Ongwae (Kisii), Granton Samboja (Taita Taveta), Ali Korane (Garissa), Mohammed Kuti (Isiolo) and Ali Roba (Mandera).

Raila's campaigns have been segmented, with county chiefs playing central roles in marketing the ODM leader.

Governor Ongwae is the point man coordinating campaigns in the Raila's larger Nyanza backyard.

Oparanya and Joho, who are both Raila's deputies in the Orange Party, are the key men in Western and the Coast, respectively.

In Northeastern, the former Prime Minister's campaign is being spearheaded by a host of governors led by Korane.

The ODM boss has also drawn in Nairobi Deputy Governor Anne Kananu and her Nyeri counterpart Caroline Karugu.

Oparanya and Joho — both have slowed down or given up their candidatures for the ODM presidential ticket — have been accompanying the former premier to a number of regional meetings as springboards for declaring his candidature.

The Kakamega county boss also accompanied the ODM leader to a meeting convened by President Kenyatta at State House Mombasa and also attended by One Kenya Alliance chiefs.

In Mt Kenya, the ODM leader's campaign has been taken over by at least five governors who have been constant figures in his recent forays in the vote-rich region.

Accompanying Raila touring of the Mt Kenya East this week, governors Kiraitu, Muriithi, Wambora, Kimemia and Njuki endorsed his bid, touting him as the best aspirant to succeed the President.

“Raila has a lot of energy, the man is focused, he’s very bright, and he’s a strategist,” Kiraitu said.

“As Mt Kenya East leaders, we will walk with you in the mountain and everywhere in the country," Wambora, who chairs the Council of Governors, said.

In Lower Eastern, Ngilu and Mutua are braving the Kalonzo wave to deliver the region to the ODM leader.

Omari said the ODM boss's change of strategy is also appreciated by the loyal constituencies created by the governors during their reigns as the counties’ CEOs.

“Raila has been a deficit of resources, ODM was a party that was ideological and people voted for it on ideologies, it never won any election,” he said.

“Jubilee was a party that believed in buying votes and putting in a lot of resources and they have beaten Raila Odinga twice and now Raila has gone to be like Jubilee. He has money from Uhuru and all Cabinet ministers and governors to fund his campaign with assurance that all these governors who are serving second terms will be appointed CSs,” Omari said.

Analyst Job Ndege told the Star the coming of governors to unequivocally render their support for Raila gives the ODM boss an advantage against his main challenger, Ruto.

ODM secretary general Edwin Sifuna, however, told the Star the party is using all leaders for its 2022 campaigns.

“We are using all leaders in the regions in our campaigns. We will work with governors, aspirants, MPs and MCAs, all of them are welcome to join us,” Sifuna said.

It has also emerged that Raila's inner circle is wrapping up preparations for the ODM leader to formally announce his candidature next month after ending a series of regional meetings.

The declaration will also coincide with Raila’s launch of his manifesto and campaign secretariat, which insiders intimate will borrow much from Uhuru's former campaigners.

(Edited by V. Graham)