Raila focuses on building a national movement

By Abdikadir Sugow          

NAIROBI, KENYA: Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga is excited about charting out the new course he will follow in the political order he now find himself in,  a confidante Salim Lone has stated.

Lone told Standard that Odinga, after having taken stock of the recent developments in the country, is upbeat about the new political dispensation.

He disclosed that Odinga is prepared to spearhead the building of a broad national movement for change which will seek to advance the causes he has fought for all his life.

He said the central aspects of Odinga will be a better Kenya built around justice, inclusion, integrity and economic opportunity within a strong democratic culture. Preventing the erosion of gains already made, and implementing the Constitution, will be central aspects of this.

He said a vibrant political party is essential to achieve above, and Odinga will focus on that in the days ahead, -but the movement will also include civil society, businessmen and women, workers, professionals and religious groups. 

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Lone said he was certain that Odinga’s priorities will also include nurturing the growth of a new group of leaders who will subsequently take on the mantle of the struggle for change.

He said Odinga has been, in the past days, holding wide consultations to determine what CORD’s coalition leadership and his own engagement will be in the new political order. He said the discussions –of course in collaboration of the views of his close ally former Vice President Musyoka Kalonzo and Senator Moses Wetangula will be key to his next move.

But Lone, who is a communication strategist, is empathetic that whatever the outcome of the ongoing consultation, Odinga will continue to pursue the fundamental issue of constitutional reform change in the country.

However, he stated that Odinga’s orientation will of course be influenced by the strategies and content of the policies President Kenyatta and Deputy President Ruto will introduce.

He said the former prime minister knows both leaders very well and that they all worked together after the 2002 election in beating back the 2005 Constitution, and Mr Ruto was of course a member of the Pentagon in the 20007 election.  

Speculation on whether Odinga will enter Parliament, Lone categorically says that is hardly an issue, adding soon Kenyans will find out what will be the next course of action for the former prime minister.

“There are so many options open to someone of Odinga’s stature, who also happens to be the country’s pre-eminent political figure with a vast national and indeed pan African following,” said Lone.

He said that is why there is such interest and speculation here and internationally in what precise course he will pursue.