Political parties affiliated to Azimio la Umoja could erode the popularity of ODM as their aspirants cling to the Raila Odinga brand to sell their candidature.
The parties have been flexing their muscles as they brace for a contest with rival candidates from Raila’s ODM, complicating the party strategy to win the majority of seats.
They have until Saturday to switch parties.
The strong showing by the parties, especially in Raila’s support bases of Nyanza, Western and Coast, has already triggered frictions that could hurt ODM’s fortunes.
The competition for aspirants is likely to even threaten cohesion in Azimio as ODM already is engaged in vicious fights with DAP-K linked to Defence CS Eugene Wamalwa.
Wamalwa has accused ODM of employing dirty manoeuvres to block aspirants from decamping to DAP-K, terming the tactics "intimidating”.
The CS said on Monday ODM was demanding that MCAs who want to defect to DAP-K pay party remittance arrears totalling Sh300,000 before leaving. That was part of their agreement on joining ODM.
If they stay put, the fee will be waived.
“The move is aimed at slowing down newly formed DAP-K that has proved to be growing fast,” Wamalwa said while addressing MCA aspirants from Kakamega county.
Riding on the promise of backing Raila’s presidential bid, the Azimio affiliates are attracting formidable aspirants in ODM bastions, setting the stage for gruelling battles with Raila's allies.
Nominated MP Godfrey Osotsi admitted ODM may lose a good number of elective seats in the party’s strongholds because of the competition among affiliates.
“There will be a reduction of the number of elected leaders in ODM,” Osotsi said. He aims to run for the Vihiga Senate seat on the ODM ticket.
The MP said most of the aspirants ditching ODM for affiliates are fighting for survival because they fear competitive nominations.
“They want to go to a party where they will be assured of a ticket and still be under the Azimio banner,” he said.
The United Progressive Alliance associated with allies of Interior CS Fred Matiang’i has attracted a good number of MCA aspirants in Kisii and Nyamira counties.
On Tuesday, Nyamira Deputy Governor James Gesami ditched ODM and joined UPA, which is led by Governor Amos Nyaribo.
They will defend their seats on the UPA ticket and face ODM’s Timothy Bosire.
Other parties threatening ODM’s fortunes in its strongholds include Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi Pamoja's African Alliance, Cyrus Jirongo’s UDP and the Kenya National Congress.
Raila’s Azimio la Umoja is backed by more than 20 political parties that are not fronting a presidential candidate but are fielding aspirants in all other elective seats.
President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee Party, which is working with Azimio, is also one of the parties that could reap big from Raila’s strongholds.
Already some bigwigs have declared their interest in running for governor on Raila turf on the Jubilee ticket, including Dalmas Otieno (Migori) and Omingo Magara (Kisii).
Already some ODM elected leaders, aspirants and officials have shunned joint rallies and meetings with other Azimio la Umoja sister parties, creating tension.
ODM chairman John Mbadi has warned Raila’s bastions against electing aspirants from Azimio sister parties, saying that would undermine the former prime minister.
“The power of Raila’s presidency will be on several ODM elected leaders. We may be one under Azimio but in our backyard, we are firmly in ODM and we will ensure that in the August polls,” he said.
Mbadi on Friday last week said some of the leaders who have joined affiliates have been behind several attempts to derail Raila and ODM in Nyanza.
“If Migori voters make the mistake of electing him on the Jubilee ticket, then I will come back here and walk naked,” he said.
Former MP John Pesa has also joined DAP-K to run for Migori governor.
We will field strong candidates to take on those who will be presented by other parties in Azimio
Kisii Senator Sam Ongeri decamped from ODM and is running for governor on a DAP-K ticket as seasoned politicians seek direct tickets.
ODM deputy party leader Wycliffe Oparanya, however, believes that affiliates in Azimio will not eat into Raila’s strongholds.
Oparanya, who is serving his second term as Kakamega governor, told the Star ODM is prepared to face other parties in the contest to fill all other elective seats.
“We will field strong candidates to take on those who will be presented by other parties in Azimio,” he said.
Small parties have lined up a series of rallies to campaign for the Azimio flag bearer while strengthening their own grassroots support.
If you enter politics you must be strong. Some fear nomination. But it's part of the game. You cannot say we cannot go to penalties after extra time because you have a weaker goalkeeper
The parties are seen as important in delivering votes to Raila and countering inroads made by Deputy President William Ruto into the former prime minister’s strongholds.
The question then is what it would mean to Raila if the parties win a considerable number of seats, whether the former prime minister wins the presidency or not.
Oparanya added that Azimio will be giving all affiliates the chance to field candidates for all other positions.
“If you come to politics, you must come strong enough. I see some people fearing nomination. Nomination is part of the game. You cannot say that we cannot go to penalties after extra time because you have a weaker goalkeeper,” he said.
ODM secretary general Edwin Sifuna was, however, categorical that the Orange party will remain intact in its strongholds.
DAP-K deputy party leader Ayub Savula said the outfit will field candidates in all elective posts during the August elections, except the presidency.
In Vihiga county, DAP-K will field former House Speaker Kenneth Marende for governor while the Cyrus Jirongo-led UDP will field Senator George Khaniri for the position.
In Kakamega, Jirongo will run for governor, while the DAP-K deputy party leader will also try his luck for the same seat.
Vihiga Senator Khaniri has since joined the United Democratic Party of Kenya.
“Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga is best suited to move this country forward and it is for that reason we are fully behind him," Khaniri said.
He expressed confidence he would deliver the majority of seats in Vihiga to UDP.
ODM suffered a setback in Western after Kakamega deputy governor Philip Kutima and Nominated Senator Naomi Shiyonga decamped to DAP-K.
The two will nonetheless be supporting Raila’s presidential bid under the Azimio La Umoja Movement.
Kutima was ODM Kakamega branch chairman and is seeking to succeed Oparanya.
He was to face former Ketraco CEO Fernandes Barasa and Shinyalu MP Justus Kizito in ODM nominations.
Shiyonga will be vying for the Kakamega Woman Representative position.
“I am feeling very free right now. DAP-K is more than a brand. We will be accommodated in Azimio,” she added.
In Nyanza, the Green Congress Movement and Movement for Democracy and Growth are all backing Raila’s presidential bid.
At the Coast, Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi’s PAA will support a Raila presidency but will field its own candidates in Kilifi county.
The party has indicated it will also field candidates in Makueni and Migori counties.
Other parties under Azimio include Wiper, Kanu, Narc, Maendeleo Chap Chap, United Democratic Movement (UDM), Party of National Unity (PNU), Muungano Party (MP), Devolution Empowerment Party, UPIA, Democratic Party and Kenya United Party (KUP).
Others are the Farmers Party, Pamoja African Alliance (PAA), Ubuntu Party, National Reconstruction Alliance (NRA), People's Trust Party, Chama Cha Uzalendo (CCU), National Liberal Party, Kenya Social Congress and the Movement for Democracy and Growth (MDG).
The Kenya Reform Party, National Agenda Party of Kenya, Party of Growth and Prosperity and United Progressive Alliance also back Raila.
(Edited by V. Graham)
“WATCH: The latest videos from the Star”
