Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has unveiled a masterstroke to limit the strength of his opponents, in a move that would see him remain one of the strongest opponents in 2022 elections.
Raila has shifted his focus to dismantling the One Kenya Alliance (OKA) that has been tottering on the brink of collapse, with co-principals divided on their 2022 gameplay. These are party leaders, Gideon Moi (KANU), Moses Wetangula (FORD-Kenya), Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper) and Musalia Mudavadi (ANC).
The ODM leader appears to be a shackle that will prevent OKA members from ascending to power in 2022 after convincing Musyoka to remain in his circles and delay his decision to join the OKA alliance.
Raila and Musyoka met on Friday, July 24, with the former promising the latter a share of the Ksh4.1 billion awarded to the National Super Alliance (NASA) by the Registrar of Political Parties.
Earlier on, he had insisted that ODM did not have money to share with the other NASA parties.
"If Musyoka breaks away from OKA, the alliance will remain feeble with the likes of Mudavadi and Wetangula coming from the same community. Gideon is wavering and cannot be trusted as he is still unsure of his future.
"The junior Moi is also struggling to cement his name in the political arena and the three would not have much influence," University of Nairobi lecturer and political analyst, Dr Jane Thuo told Kenyans.co.ke.
The communication expert added that Raila is consolidating his strongholds by pulling his lieutenants and co-allies closer.
"Raila, unlike Ruto who prefers to ride solo but with underdogs, built his fortress for decades and does not want to relinquish it," she stated, adding that it was still early to rule him out of the race in favour of Ruto who has been making inroads in several parts of the country, notably Mt Kenya.
What will Kalonzo lose?
Kalonzo was reportedly wary of joining OKA for fear of losing parliamentary positions awarded to his party while still under NASA.
He was also afraid of losing the mantle to Mudavadi, a strong candidate for the OKA presidential flag bearer.
The Wiper leader was also cautious of joining a coalition while Gideon Moi's KANU is still in a pact with Jubilee and has not yet decided on signing a legal agreement to join OKA.
Wiper, ANC and FORD-Kenya, in a statement issued on Tuesday, July 20, announced that they would push to leave NASA. Senators Mutula Kilonzo Jnr (Wiper) and Cleophas Malala (ANC) read the statement after OKA members met at Hermosa Gardens in Karen, Nairobi.
Gideon Moi reportedly assured the OKA co-principals that KANU would pull out of a coalition with Jubilee Party to focus on their newfound alliance. However, Kanu Secretary-General Nick Salat dismissed any reports of the party leaving Jubilee for OKA.
OKA will meet in Naivasha in early August 2021 to deliberate on their plans and agendas. Gideon Moi has skipped several meetings in the past.
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