Mistrust rocks 'third force' OKA as Ruto, Raila woo principals

Lugari MP Ayub Savula. [David Njaaga, Standard]

Suspicion threatens to split One Kenya Alliance (OKA) following overtures from Deputy President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga.

OKA seems to be at a standstill at a time when presidential aspirants are aggressively courting some of the principals. 

The outfit comprising Musalia Mudavadi (ANC), Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper), Gideon Moi (Kanu) and Ford Kenya’s Moses Wetang'ula had been touted as a formidable third force in the General Election.

In the eye of the political storm is Mudavadi's ANC, whose deputy party leader Ayub Savula yesterday declared that he was ready to quit should the outfit enter into a coalition with Ruto's United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

Mr Savula declared OKA “formally dead”, claiming that intrusion by UDA has brought it to its knees despite the promising future.

The Lugari MP said he was opposed to Mudavadi and Wetang'ula working with Ruto.

“UDA has formally written to ANC and Ford Kenya, creating mistrust between the OKA principles,” he said.

Savula noted that the appearance of Ruto at the Mumias Sports Complex during a football tournament sponsored by Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala was an indication that there are ongoing talks with Mudavadi. 

He claimed Ruto's attendance had the blessings of the ANC leader.

“Ile ruhusa nilipata nifike hapa ni ya mdosi wako Musalia Mudavadi (It's your boss Musalia Mudavadi who allowed me to come),” Ruto said.

But Malala dismissed leaders faulting his hosting of the DP, arguing that he and Mudavadi have the right to associate with anyone.

“Musalia Mudavadi is now free to look for political options that will ensure that he will be in the next government,” he said.

OKA affiliate parties, Malala said, have the right to separately engage with other outfits of their choice.

“If the expansion of our network will be good for OKA then so be it. The DP is a citizen of Kenya with rights just like any other Kenyan therefore this stereotypical thinking that when you engage him you are committing a criminal offence should stop.”

The National Assembly Deputy Minority Leader and Wiper organising secretary Robert Mbui said despite the party being open to working with like-minded individuals, it had ruled out any engagements with Ruto after he publicly announced that he was not willing to enter into a coalition.

“He is even fighting the coalition Bill that is currently in Parliament. He wants to create a one-party state. That is why we do not see the potential of working with him,” he said.

Just like the other OKA principals, Mudavadi is set to be formally endorsed as the ANC presidential candidate during the National Delegates Congress at the Bomas of Kenya on January 23.

Savula, who has declared support for Raila’s Azimio la Umoja movement, cautioned Malala against pushing ANC to enter into a coalition with UDA.

The MP said he will champion for his Kakamega governor bid under Azimio la Umoja.

“I don't want to beat around the bush. I'm still in ANC until the time when they will formally announce a coalition with UDA and I will quit and stand on Azimio. Azimio is a wave and I do not want to play with fire,” he said.

At the same time, Kanu Secretary-General Nick Salat also questioned the presence of Ruto at Malala’s event.

“They used to say there is a weak link, but over the weekend you saw what happened and with Malala hosting the Deputy President for us we now know who the weak link is,” he said.

Mr Salat disclosed that the task to find like-minded partners to work with OKA for the sake of unity was given to Kanu chairman Gideon.

He, however, maintained that despite being a member of OKA,“politics is never static as things change and other formations come along.”

Salat said Kanu still has the option of going it alone since they already have a presidential candidate.

In November last year, the Independence party nominated Gideon to run for the State House seat.

“Kanu is willing to work with OKA, but if things will not work for us then we will walk out and look for other like-minded parties and work with them in the formation of the next government,” said Salat.

“But we have time to make up our minds. We will push to a certain point but when we see nothing is coming out then we will see what to do.”

During the Azimio convention last year, Gideon hinted at a possible partnership with ODM leader in his bid for the presidency.

"What we are is allied forces. Baba's gain in gaining ground is our gain. When we gain ground on our side, it's our gain," the Kanu chairman said.

ANC Secretary-General Simon Kamau maintained that any person who wishes to partner with them will have to support Mudavadi’s presidential bid.

He termed reports of Mudavadi's talks with Ruto "as speculation during this season of coalition talks where everyone is just taking the opportunity to see what is on the table."