Wrangles within the National Super Alliance are escalating with co-principals Musalia Mudavadi and Moses Wetangula accusing Orange Democratic Movement leader Raila Odinga of orchestrating plans to oust them from leadership positions.
Mudavadi of Amani National Congress and Bungoma Senator Wetangula who was ousted as Ford-Kenya leader also pointed fingers at Central Trade Organisation Secretary-General Francis Atwoli.
Despite ODM categorically slamming the two parties, defending Odinga and Atwoli from what they termed as baseless claims, political analysts who spoke with Kenyans.co.ke differed, arguing that there might be something in store for Raila amid the chaos in ANC and Ford Kenya.
Nafula Kisiang'ani, a Social Development Consultant, opined that it would be ironic for Odinga to boldly accept that he has a hand in Mudavadi's predicaments at ANC and the ouster of Wetangula, who was replaced with Kanduyi MP Athanus Wamunyinyi as Ford-Kenya Party leader.
"He fought for multi-partyism and he can't accept to be one who is now against it. To be a politician, you have to be cunning. He'll also deny it to avoid confrontation within NASA. It is disappointing seeing people who fought for democracy now acting against it.
"However, the coups are favouring him as he benefits from the weakness of the other parties. Raila is pushing for the Building Bridges Initiative and despite declining to announce a 2020 presidential bid, he wants to dominate the other parties before that period comes," Kisiang'ani, the CEO at Ubuntu Development Solution, a Social Development firm stated.
The political analyst slammed efforts being made to fight against democracy and multi-partyism but also urged the other parties to be stronger as the coups were all about fighting for power. She added that by Mudavadi and Wetangula failing to pin their party members down, they portrayed themselves as weak leaders.
Kisiang'ani added that the onslaught of the party leaders also indicated that the Luhya community unity was a far reach as they were easy targets in political battles.
Dr. Jane Thuo, a lecturer at Nairobi University, added that Odinga and Atwoli do not have to necessarily have a hand in the ousters but they are influencers who yield a lot of power.
"There is a political system consisting of players who decide who will be the leader at the end of a day, their interests will be safeguarded. The system can be amorphous and be beyond Raila and Atwoli. There may be people at a higher rank who call the shots. They are the financers and will make the decisions.
"Remember also these small parties branched from main parties like ODM and KANU and the veteran politicians like Raila and Kenyatta will still have an influence on them as they are like their children.
"For Mudavadi, if he is ousted, he will be in a better position than Wetangula. Senator Wetangula depends on the party, Mudavadi has influence and has no political seat. He may join any other party," Dr. Thuo opined.
