Details have emerged as to why the much-anticipated retreat by the National Super Alliance (NASA) that was set to start on Monday was postponed.
According to reports, the retreat that would have seen the NASA co-principals consider a report by the coalition's National Coordinating Committee (NCC) on its choice of flag-bearer, was complicated after the entry of Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto.
Sources indicated that the absence of co-principals Raila Odinga, who had flown to South Africa to visit his ailing daughter, (South Africa) and Kalonzo Musyoka who was in Dubai complicated matters further after Governor Ruto agreed to join NASA as the fifth principal.
“Who told you the retreat will be in Mombasa? It can be anywhere and yes I will be attending the retreat,” stated Ruto when asked to confirm the reports.
Ruto’s entry into NASA and the outstanding issues on power-sharing are said to have thrown the spanner in the works and might delay the retreat for two or three days.
He is said to have agreed to join the opposition outfit and is set to be received in Nairobi at the end of the week.
The governor is then expected to formally hold discussions with the four principals before retreating with the NASA leadership to agree on who will fly the opposition’s flag.
It is however not clear if the expected entry of the governor will compel the NASA technical team to adjust its document to incorporate Ruto’s Chama Cha Mashinani (CCM).
NASA had announced that the four opposition leaders would meet on April 17, 18, and 19 to consider a report by the National Coordinating Committee (NCC).
