Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and ANC chief Musalia Mudavadi are the gentlemen of Kenyan politics, but this cannot be misconstrued for weakness.
Every country requires peace and sobriety to develop. The politics of Kenya has mostly been ruthless and unforgiving. Sensationalism and yellow journalism have over the years created wrong perceptions about certain politicians in Kenya.
Additionally, populism has been taken for ingenuity, authenticity, strength, and truthfulness. Those who have sometimes chosen to be a sobering voice in times of strife have missed out on the advantage of the extreme, which would make them appear as strong leaders.
However, Kalonzo, Mudavadi, Kanu chairman Senator Gideon Moi, Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetang’ula, and UDP’s Cyrus Jirongo – all under the One Kenya Alliance - have great potential and serious sway in the August elections.
Although Raila has proven to have a strong support in the Luhya community, that can be reversed as it only takes selling Oka’s agenda there, and showing that the ODM boss has nothing unique to offer. Same case with Ruto.
While the Luhya nation has always been divided in how they vote, they can approach this election with the sole agenda of unity, and not necessarily have a president. This will be a major win as they still have relatively young leaders in Mudavadi, Wetang’ula and others.
In regards to Ruto, his greatest front for power is not the presidency. He surely desires to be president and is going all out for it. However, the bare minimum that Ruto is targeting is to have the majority in Parliament. In this regard, he has built a powerful machine with a wide network and presence in all parts of Kenya.
DP Ruto is keen to pump good numbers into both Houses of Parliament and only Oka can deny Ruto this.
The simple reason is that Ruto and Raila have two diametrically opposed support bases, while Oka can be acceptable in all parts of the country. So, if Oka works on a good strategy that recruits good candidates from all levels, builds a well-oiled machine and grinds well-coordinated and truth-based campaigns, they will be the force to reckon with.
You can find a supporter who totally dislikes Raila or Ruto, but chances are that the same person does not dislike either Kalonzo or Mudavadi. Their only wish is for the two do one thing or two so that they can win their support.
Kenyans are tired of aggressive politics and Kalonzo and Mudavadi can find market if they sell their agenda far and wide.
A simple consensus without much application of strange science, and where the most politically experienced of the Oka principals is chosen, will save the alliance much time.
Dislodging Kalonzo from the leadership seat of Ukambani is next to impossible, at least this year. There is no serious opposition for him, and his antagonists have major weaknesses.
A recent social media fake post has led Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua’s credibility and believability to diminish significantly. He has also made plenty of gaffes.
In 2011, Mutua was put to task by the church and Kenyans when, as government spokesman, asserted that the government had no statistics of people dying of hunger. The Catholic church confirmed several people had died of the same.
His exorbitant advertising of insignificant or non-existent projects ostensibly undertaken by his government in Machakos also led many people to question his leadership.
While Mutua has aligned himself with Raila [while he himself has also launched his presidential bid] , there are no guarantees he can deliver any significant votes for him. Besides, Mutua entered politics by hanging on Kalonzo’s coattails.
Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu, who has also aligned with Raila, appears to have done so too early as the people have patiently waited for Kalonzo’s next move.
She undertook to ambitiously go for Kalonzo’s political jugular by making it look like her view of building a coalition with Raila was the only option Kalonzo has.
At home, she is fighting a serious battle as she tries to retain her gubernatorial seat, with former Senator David Musila and ex-governor Julius Malombe having thrown their hats in the ring.
Other aspirants are Kenya’s High Commissioner to Uganda Kiema Kilonzo and former Nairobi Deputy Governor Jonathan Mueke. If they are all to run, Musila might spring a surprise as he hails from Mwingi, where, if the people pull together, their solid injection will most likely hand him victory, especially if he secures the Wiper ticket.
Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana seems to have run out of steam as he is rarely seen or heard in the media. He had to enter a pact with Kalonzo to run on the Wiper ticket to secure Makueni again in 2017. In other words, without Kalonzo, he cannot stand on his twos in Ukambani and elsewhere.
This means Kalonzo remains the de facto political kingpin in Ukambani.
Kalonzo and Mudavadi must, therefore, have concrete strategies of encouraging voter registration when the mass registration starts. They must put in place clear plans of radicalising their bases, reinforcing their national appeal and political presence, boosting visibility of their agenda, and recruiting smart people to run their join work.
They are already on right footing as they have the likes of former NASA chief executive and political adviser Norman Magaya, and former Kidero chief of staff George Wainaina in their fold. These are critical brains and experience for the crucial work that now needs to be solidified.
There will be no room for ineptitude, slothfulness, selfish interest, or sabotage because this is an election that must deliver the right president for Kenya.
To discontinue unhealthy and deadly animosity in Kenyan politics, Kalonzo or Mudavadi must take the mantle from Uhuru.
As Kalonzo says, Kenyans must get it right this time. Facilitating a 24-hour economy, reduced taxation, restructuring of national debt are unique ideas that Oka champions that will transform Kenya.
