Political analyst Mutahi Ngunyi has advised Opposition leader Raila Odinga on what he should do to win in the August General Election after he was declared the National Super Alliance (NASA) flag bearer.
In his analysis, the analyst stated that Odinga should change tact, stop portraying himself as a "Lord of Poverty" and instead start telling Kenyans what he really stands for.
"If Raila is to succeed as the NASA candidate, he has to change tact. Or maybe he needs to change heart. Instead of embracing his historical label as a ‘Lord of Poverty’, he should become a liberator with practical solutions," Ngunyi noted.
The political scientist opined that if the ODM leader wants to beat Jubilee in the upcoming polls, he should concentrate on spreading his agenda to the country.
"He should abandon the ‘Raila na Mpira’ jokes he tells in political parties and articulate his vision for the country," the analyst explained.
In his hypothesis, Ngunyi highlighted that the former Prime Minister should also portray himself as an underdog in the upcoming elections to stand a chance of beating the incumbent.
"If Raila projects his ticket as one of an underdog, he will succeed. If he ‘manga mangas’ in town as president-elect, he will lose," Ngunyi stated.
He further explained that history had always favoured the underdogs, citing the 2013 elections where President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto won despite having a case at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
"In 2013, Kalonzo was Vice President and Raila was Prime Minister. Their opponents were Uhuru and Ruto. Both were international ‘suspects’ facing political trial in some foreign country. The Raila-Kalonzo ticket of 2013 had the upper hand yet they lost," Ngunyi indicated.
He, however, noted that he would have preferred Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka as flag bearer as his candidature would guarantee a peaceful country.
