By James Wafula in Nairobi.
Kenya’s opposition leader Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga is set for a showdown with Deputy President William Ruto in the country’s 2022 transition elections, reports James Wafula in Nairobi.
It will be the most closely contested polls a likely repeat of 2013 – 2017 “too close to call” but Raila schemers claim they are confident of victory. Now a new opposition alliance is taking shape that could deny Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni’s favoured candidate William Ruto the Kenyan Presidency.
Raila Odinga, son to Kenya’s first Vice President Jaramogi Ajuma Oginga Odinga, is the most influential opposition figure in the country.
Mzee Jaramogi Odinga was a Luo Chieftain who became prominent figure in Kenya’s struggle for independence. He fellout with founding President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta in mid 1970s and become leading opposition figure..
The alliance is enjoying the support of President Uhuru Kenyatta as it is gaining momentum ahead of polls still eight months away.
Kenya’s head of state fell out with his deputy of nine years Dr. Ruto widely seen as an “unwanted” guest at state house.
The One Kenya Alliance (OKA) has Luhya western kingpin Musalia Mudavadi, KANU’s Gideon Moi, Wipers Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka, and Ford Kenya Moses Wetangula.
In the 2013-2017 elections the OKA were NASA co-principals. Their influence saw Odinga lock out Uhuru-Ruto in western, eastern, and coast.
Ruto, 56, has used his “idle time” to campaign for 2022 after most of his duties were transfered to interior Minister Fred Matiangi who supports Odinga’s Presidential bid.
Odinga, 77, is a former Prime Minister in a “nusu mkate” government with President Mwai Kibaki 2008- 2012. This following a power sharing deal to end post election violence.
Odinga claimed his 2007 ” victory”had been “stolen” pushing Kenya to the brink of near collapse.
In 2013-2017, Odinga still cried foul claiming Jubilee’s President Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto stole the poll.
But his presidential petition 2013 was trashed by chief justice Willy Mutunga’s supreme court.
In 2017, again Odinga claimed his victory was stolen.
This time Odinga’s petition prevailed. Chief Justice David Maraga over-turned Uhuru’s victory. He ordered a repeat poll in 60 days. Odinga boycotted the fresh poll claiming it would still be stolen. He instead swore himself in as “peoples president” on Janaury 31, 2018.
Odinga was never arrested for “treason”. He went on to launch a massive nationwide “economic war” almost virtually making the country “ungovernable”.
But just when it appeared he had Kenyatta cornered, Odinga threw in the towel. The rest became history.
Today as a “government” project, Raila the foremost anti-establishment radical of the 1980’s and 1990’s is swimming in unfamiliar waters.
The March 9 2018 handshake with President Kenyatta effectively “silenced” him as an opposition mouthpiece.
From the Dubai trade expo he is back to the slopes of vote rich mount Kenya. He is selling the “political debt” gospel and many are listening.
More than two thirds were not yet born when the community alleged “debt” was given in 1961. The community”owed” Raila’s father Jaramogi for elevating Jomo, Uhuru’s dad.
Raila claims Jaramogi and Tom Joseph Mboya could have formed the first post independence government but opted to back Jomo Kenyatta.
In 2002, Raila says his famous “Kibaki tosha” made Kibaki President! How well is this political “debt” gospel being received in mount Kenya?
Odinga has made peace with the community that has produced 3 of Kenya’s four presidents and expects a bumper harvest in 2022.
Many say with OKA behind him Raila would sweep the board in vote rich western, eastern, the coast, parts of north and south rift.
President Kenyatta has said it is time for other “tribes” to rule not only the two Kikuyu and Kalenjin . He is pushing for Odinga to succeed him. Raila is no stranger to state house as Prime Minister 2008-12 co-sharing power with Kibaki.
So is Ruto who in 2013 stood next to Uhuru in matching suits, shirts and tie, as they announced the cabinet appointments that reflected their TNA-URP alliance, ready to accept defeat?.
The question of whose debt central Kenya will be paying back between Raila and Ruto when it comes to the 2022 election is starting to look like the former but time will tell ■
