By James Wafula in Nairobi.
One Kenya Alliance (OKA) remains stalled midstream as two main co-principals assume hard-line stance.
ANC top aides of party leader Musalia Mudavadi Macharia led by Kakamega senator Cleophas Malala are vowing not to back down.
So are supporters of Wiper kingpin Stephen KalonzoMusyoka! They say it is now or never! Causing sleepless nights to both men.
Both men eying the OKA ticket are former vice presidents, widely considered as Kenya’s most thankless office!
You only need to see the frustrations the current occupant Dr. William Ruto is going through to get a feel of what it entails.
For Mudavadi, 61, the 2022 One Kenya Alliance (OKA) ticket is becoming elusive with each passing day.
The same to flip flopping Musyoka who has just held a snap party delegates conference.
Mudavadi was the shortest serving vice presidents from the Mulembe region in 2002.
He served three months as the curtain fell on President Daniel Moi’s two term limit.
Others from the region include Wamalwa Kijana 2002-2004 who died in office, and Moody Awori 2004-2007.
Luhya voters were roundly chided by Moi for never speaking in “one voice” unlike the Rift valley, central Kenya and Luo Nyanza.
Western is renown for dividing their votes. In 1992 the Luhya voted for Kenneth Matiba whose running-mate was Martin Shikuku, both men now long gone.
A vast section also voted for Ford Kenya Jaramogi Odinga, and KANU’s Moi.
The region reputed to be the second most populous could virtually propel one of its sons to state house if they spoke in one voice.
Its the same region that in 2007, 2013, and 2017 gave ODM leader RailaOdinga massive support. According to Malala the region is now “fatigued” by the Odinga “candidacy” and now wants one of its own.
But Odinga remains widely popular and a critical factor you cant wish away as Kenya’s 2022 transition elections beckon.
How far Malala and his hardliners will go in pushing for the Mudavadi candidacy in 2022 remains to be seen.
