By ERICK ODUOR
In Summary
- The two-horse presidential race is taking shape after the unveiling of the National Super Alliance’s line-up, which will be led by Raila Odinga.
- In its proposed campaign agenda, the opposition says it will restore the authority of the Constitution, address historical injustices, promote inclusivity, equality and social justice and spur economic growth.
- President Uhuru Kenyatta dismissed the proposed government structure as a deal meant to create powerful positions to serve the interests of the Nasa principals.
Strengthening anti-government sentiments and calling for a
final liberation are at the core of the Kenya opposition’s strategy to
defeat President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Jubilee Party in the August
election.
The two-horse presidential race is taking shape after the
unveiling of the National Super Alliance’s line-up, which will be led by
Raila Odinga. The other Nasa principals are Kalonzo Musyoka, Musalia
Mudavadi, Moses Wetang'ula and Isaac Ruto. The announcement was made at
Uhuru Park in the country’s capital Nairobi. The opposition coalition
outlined the need to liberate the country once again, accusing President
Kenyatta’s administration of bad leadership, that has brought the
country’s economy to its knees.
In its first phase of vote-hunting, the opposition plans to raid
the Jubilee strongholds of Rift Valley and Upper Eastern region — Meru
and Embu, Marsabit and Isiolo —starting this Saturday with a rally in
Nakuru County.
According to Mr Odinga’s spokesman Denis Onyango, the opposition
will consolidate its support in Rift Valley to boost the presence of
Chama cha Mashinani, which is headed by Mr Ruto, the Bomet Governor.
In addition, they will also campaign hard to bag swing votes
from 10 counties that have been marked as battlegrounds since no single
political party has a clear lead there according to the latest opinion
polls. The counties that are likely to provide swing votes are Nairobi,
Kajiado, Narok, Trans Nzoia, Mandera, Garissa, Wajir, Samburu, Marsabit
and Isiolo.
“We are looking at consolidating our support in Jubilee
strongholds and we are still addressing a few issues before we roll out
our campaigns,” Mr Onyango told The EastAfrican.
Power sharing
Mr Odinga will be endorsed by the Orange Democratic Movement on
May 5 at a special delegates conference, where a power sharing agreement
with the other principals will be adopted as a binding document by the
party.
In its proposed campaign agenda, the opposition says it will
restore the authority of the Constitution, address historical
injustices, promote inclusivity, equality and social justice and spur
economic growth.
President Kenyatta dismissed the proposed government structure
as a deal meant to create powerful positions to serve the interests of
the Nasa principals.
Mr Mudavadi, the Amani National Congress leader, is expected to
be a key figure in the Nasa government, with Mr Wetang'ula and Mr Ruto
serving as his deputies in the powerful docket of Premier Cabinet
Secretary. Mr Wetang'ula and Mr Ruto will oversee the public service and
devolution dockets respectively. Mr Musyoka, the Wiper Democratic
Movement leader, will be Mr Odinga’s running mate and deputy president.
Mr Odinga, 72 — considered the kingmaker in the 2002 succession
battle where his strategy stopped Uhuru Kenyatta from succeeding retired
president Daniel Moi — is taking his last stab at the presidency and
will serve for only one term should he win the presidential vote.
In 2002, Mr Odinga led the campaigns that delivered victory to
the National Rainbow Coalition after its presidential candidate Mwai
Kibaki was involved in a life-threatening road accident and had to be
flown to London for specialised treatment. He is hoping to galvanize the
country and win support like he did in 2002.
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