As part of his rebranding strategy for the 2022 presidential contest, ODM leader Raila Odinga has dumped old faces previously seen around him and replaced them with those believed will better endear him to the electorate.
Most of those pushed to the periphery are Raila’s allies from his Nyanza backyard and a host of veteran civil society activists.
They include Siaya Senator James Orengo and ODM national chairman and Suba South MP John Mbadi.
Raila is seen to be drifting away from left-wing ideologues as he seeks to project the image of a nationalist who can accommodate all divergent views.
The endgame is to endear himself to more regions and communities ahead of 2022 elections.
National Assembly Minority whip Junet Mohamed has, however, pushed himself into the inner sanctum of Raila’s top confidants.
The Suna East lawmaker is largely seen as Raila’s ‘Mr Fix It', even though he has a loose tongue that has often courted controversy.
Junet is the permanent master of ceremony in all Azimio la Umoja meetings that have seen Raila traverse the country seeking views on unity, governance and the 2022 general election.
Those meetings will culminate in today’s — December 10 — convention at Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi, where Raila is expected to formally launch his fifth presidential bid.
Kisii Governor James Ongwae is another trusted ally of Raila. The two-term county chief is among the few in the former Prime Minister’s inner circle that also has ODM deputy party leaders Wycliffe Oparanya and Hassan Joho.
Ongwae was a career civil servant. He headed Raila’s campaign secretariat in 2007 and has been involved in crafting key policies, especially on the former PM’s dream civil service.
Those in Raila’s inner circle are categorised into regions, with Oparanya representing Western, while Ongwae and Junet represent Nyanza.
Joho is Raila’s confidant from the Coast alongside Taita Taveta Governor Granton Samboja, while Treasury CS Ukur Yatani is coordinating operations in the larger North Kenya region that comprises upper Eastern (Marsabit and Isiolo) and Northeastern region.
Agriculture CS Peter Munya and Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu are also in the team. They represent Eastern region.
Munya is a long-time ally of Raila and had already declared his support for the ODM leader after the Supreme Court ordered a repeat presidential poll in September 2017 before President Uhuru Kenyatta lured him to his side with promise of a Cabinet slot.
Rift Valley region has Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Alex Tolgos in the ODM leader’s team with recent catch West Pokot Governor John Lonyangapuo playing the supportive role in the expansive North Rift region.
In Maasailand, Raila has co-opted Narok North MP Moitalel ole Kenta into his inner circle and also maintained Kajiado Central MP Memusi Kanchory among his lieutenants.
In the vote-rich Mt Kenya region, Raila has cobbled a team of lieutenants, including governors Ndiritu Muriithi (Laikipia), Francis Kimemia (Nyandarua) and Lee Kinyanjui (Nakuru).
Former Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth and Royal Media Services chairman SK Macharia are also in the team.
The Mt Kenya team is supported by Kiambu Governor James Nyoro, Kieni MP Kanini Kega, Public Service CAS Rachel Shebesh, Murang’a Woman Representative Sabina Chege, Jubilee nominated lawmaker Maina Kamnada and Nyeri Deputy Governor Caroline Karugu, who are all working to market Raila’s candidature in the region.
Political analyst Javas Bigambo says the rebranding is largely for optics as Raila seeks to cut the image of a nationalist.
“The Orengos and Mbadis have not been relegated to the periphery as such but have only been repositioned as Raila seeks to shake off the Luo loyalist tag and endear himself to more regions like Mt Kenya,” Bigambo told the Star.
He said perception is key in politics and that people such as Orengo are still held in high regard by the ODM chief.
“It is people like Orengo who have been with Raila for the longest time and who can take the bullet for him. The rest is quid pro quo,” Bigambo said.
Besides political mobilisation, sources said governors Muriithi and Oparanya are also valuable in crafting Raila’s economic strategies. The Kakamega governor served as Economic Planning minister during the Grand Coalition government of 2008-13.
Mbadi in October said the rebranding is necessary, noting that ODM was keen on assembling a formidable campaign team consisting of all partners.
“We’re in this together. Obviously ODM is the mother party of Raila Odinga, but we’re alive to the fact that we’ve gained new friends and we need them probably even much more than we need some of us,” Mbadi told the Nation in an interview.
