President Uhuru Kenyatta and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader, Raila Odinga, have crafted a new strategy to poach key allies of Deputy President William Ruto.
The duo reportedly hired a pollster to conduct an analysis that will help in deciding the popular candidates who will fly the coalition’s flag in the August 9 General Election.
ODM Secretary General, Edwin Sifuna, affirmed that this was the new strategy that will be employed to comprehend who the popular candidates are and support them.
He explained that the study will guide them in identifying popular candidates in regions and facilitate Azimio La Umoja aspirants.
Further, Sifuna stated that they intend to poach aspirants from other parties such as United Democratic Alliance (UDA) which is affiliated with DP Ruto.
“In instances where we find a favourite candidate belongs to a different party, we will reach out to them. If we find that the person leading in the opinion poll is leaning towards UDA, we shall convince them to join us. We poach them and give them an offer to be our candidate,” Sifuna stated.
The ODM Secretary General stated that in cosmopolitan regions such as Nairobi, the research will enable them to reach a consensus as a coalition. He also revealed that the poll is being conducted in all the positions from ward to governors in all the counties.
“We are making it clear that it’s the science that will guide us. In many of these areas, we are going to use science to give direct tickets. We need not subject aspirants to an elective process when we know who is ahead of the others,” Sifuna explained to the Nation.
“We shall only use the delegates and party members when it is determined that the science cannot separate them when they are maybe between plus, minus five (+/-5). In this case, we shall then deploy another method. The clear favourite will be given tickets,” he was quoted by the Nation.
This comes barely two weeks after Kenyans.co.ke learnt that aspirants seeking elective seats in the August 9 elections on a Jubilee Party ticket have a reason to smile after President Kenyatta promised to bankroll their campaigns.
President Kenyatta, during the Jubilee Parliamentary Group meeting at State House, Nairobi on Friday, February 4, told the party members who remained loyal to him that he will ensure they have enough resources to facilitate their campaigns.
A source privy to the discussions and who sought anonymity told Kenyans.co.ke that the Head of State further promised the group that he will ensure the party retains its identity and strength despite some members having bolted and joined rival political outfits.
However, it was not clear whether the President will facilitate the campaigns fully or what exact activities he will finance them.
