- On Friday, Raila held a crucial meeting with at least eight political parties to address their concerns over zoning and sharing of leadership slots.
- The Azimio team is yet to agree on a formula, with both Jubilee and ODM parties staking claim for the county's top seats.
Image: THE STAR
ODM leader Raila Odinga is in an aggressive push to stem threats of internal revolts and seal emerging cracks in his Azimio outfit.
Discontent and fury among partners triggered by nominations zoning are threatening to slow down his presidential campaigns.
Hours after holding talks with aggrieved Azimio La Umoja One Kenya coalition partners, Raila on Sunday convened another high-level meeting.
On Friday, Raila held a crucial meeting with at least eight political parties to address their concerns over zoning and sharing of leadership slots.
The parties accused Azimio of trying to zone them out of their strongholds in favour of their rivals ahead of the primaries.
Under pressure, Raila said that there will be no zoning of any regions for parties within Azimio.
On Sunday, he held a meeting at Cotu secretary general Francis Atwoli's Ildamat home in Kajiado county attended by key stalwarts in his presidential campaigns.
“We are ironing out a few issues in the coalition,” Atwoli said when asked about the agenda of the meeting.
Atwoli told the Star the meeting discussed ways of steadying the coalition and ensuring it remains united post-party primaries.
The Star learnt that the issue of sharing Nairobi seats within the Azimio featured in the talks, hours after Deputy President William Ruto hammered a deal.
Ruto's UDA party has settled on Senator Johnson Sakaja to fly the gubernatorial ticket and Bishop Margret Wanjiru to run for the Senate's seat.
The Azimio team is yet to agree on a formula, with both Jubilee and ODM parties staking claim for the county's top seats.
Fissures from party nominations could spoil the party for Raila whose ODM party is embroiled in high-stakes primaries across the country.
The ODM boss has been pushing for consensus among aspirants to avoid divisive nominations, but some regions are witnessing chaos.
Other politicians present in Sunday's meeting included former Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth, Jubilee vice chairman David Murathe, Siaya Senator James Orengo and National Assembly Majority Whip Emanuel Wangwe.
Former Jubilee secretary general Raphael Tuju who is the Azimio executive director and former Westlands MP Fred Gumo also attended the all-important talks.
Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya was also present.
Critically, some parties, led by Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua, on Thursday alleged they were being excluded by Azimio coalition top leadership.
They said the leadership was being managed by people picked without consultation while other parties were left out.
Raila responded and expanded the topmost leadership to stem the internal friction and threats to jump ship.
It has been expanded from seven to 11 members although the coalition contains more than 23 political parties supporting Raila's presidential bid.
Mutua's move lifted the lid on the behind-the-scenes intrigues roiling the coalition, including the battle for Raila's running mate.
Raila was forced to clarify that he is yet to pick his running mate although there have been speculations that he might settle for Wiper boss Kalonzo Musyoka.
Mutua had asked Raila to open the position of running mate for discussion, in what was seen to be a direct jibe at Kalonzo.
The Wiper boss, who recently resolved to back Raila, has attracted fierce onslaught from his Ukambani backyard governors, who are threatening the ODM chief's fortunes in the region.
However, after Raila's talks with Mutua, the Machakos governor said he was ready for a truce with Kalonzo with whom they have been battling for the control of Ukambani.
Speaking on Sunday during a press briefing at the Convent International Hotel, Lavington, during a Maendeleo Chap Chap Governing Council, the governor said he is ready for a handshake.
"Let us work together, strategise together and even campaign together because that is the only way we can win," Mutua said.
"I am ready for a handshake so that we can forge forward and secure Raila's presidency."
(edited by Amol Awuor)