ODM and Azimio leader Raila Odinga is at the roughest patch in his political career as he once again tries to rewind his previously successful political acrobatics to force President William Ruto’s administration to yield to his demands.
However, thanks to his unchanging antics, he is finding himself in very unfamiliar territory this time around. With an unflappable President and a Deputy President known for unflinching straight-in-the-eye salvos, the ODM leader can only wish that people listen and act as per his wish.
President Ruto and DP Rigathi Gachagua are known for their tenacity and grit, and may not take Raila’s threats lying low. This seems to give Raila a real test as his tried and working ways seem to fall by the wayside.
The past week gives a snippet of a frustrated leader who finds the going rough, given the exodus by a number of his diehard supporters, forcing him to convene meetings with unlikely groups, some not known to carry much weight in seasons of high octane politics.
In the past, Raila would easily cajole different presidents to do his bidding. But cracking an adamant Ruto administration is posing a real challenge and chances of his success are at their lowest ebb.
If he had accepted that the election was done and dusted and concentrated on issues such as the economy and electoral reforms, perhaps he would have found ready allies.
But wanting to perpetually be calling attention to why he lost is a tired cliche that alienates rather than unites his supporters.
Economic and political analyst
