New-found allies promise to power Raila’s 2022 bid

ODM leader Raila Odinga during Azimio la Umoja National Convention on December 10, 2021, at Moi International sports complex Kasarani Stadium. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

ODM leader Raila Odinga announced his presidential bid at Kasarani in the presence of new allies, mainly from President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee Party.

Absent were Raila’s traditional allies and former partners in two defunct coalitions - Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (Cord) and the National Super Alliance (Nasa) which he used to vie in two elections.

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Musalia Mudavadi (ANC), Moses Wetang’ula of Ford Kenya did not attend. In their place, a new team of leaders are emerging as Raila’s trusted lieutenants.

The three leaders said on Thursday they were encumbered by previously made plans and would not make it.

The former Nasa leaders, wary that they were being forced to support Raila, made their message clear - they want to be his challengers rather than perennial backers.

Kalonzo has been in South Sudan for two days where he is serving as a peace envoy and yesterday called on vice president Rebecca Garang at her office in Juba.

“I paid a courtesy call on vice president, Madam Rebecca Garang at her office in Juba this morning (yesterday). Gender party in governance is a matter I hold dear to my heart. Our One Kenya Alliance government will ensure the same,” said Kalonzo on social media.

Received invite

Mudavadi was said to be dispensing with the funeral arrangements of his step mother who died a few weeks ago in the US. He posted on social media that although he received an invite, he would not attend.

His ally and Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala was in Malava constituency engaging the locals on the party’s campaign agenda.

But Raila has been forging alliances with other leaders whom he hopes will help endear him to new electorate, especially in Central.

While Kalonzo, Mudavadi and Wetang’ula were absent, their ally in One Kenya Alliance (OKA) Kanu chairman Gideon Moi was on hand to offer his support to Raila.

Senator Gideon said he was returning a favour to Raila for attending his National Delegates Conference (NDC) a few weeks ago.

“Because of the respect that Baba showed us as Kanu by attending our NDC, I made sure I am here today. We are allied forces. Baba’s gain is our gain. Our gain is his gain,” said Gideon.

Cyrus Jirongo, former Lugari MP who has also aligned with OKA, said Raila was a dependable leader.

“Yeye akipata, sisi tumepata. Sisi tukipata, yeye amepata... The enemy is one and we are all on one side,” he said.

But the presence of Uhuru’s top allies points to formation of a new team. Some of the leaders emerging as Raila’s allies are Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya and Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu, former Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth and governors Ndiritu Muriithi (Laikipia), Francis Kimemia (Nyandarua) and Lee Kinyanjui (Nakuru), Jubilee vice chair David Murathe, Jubilee Secretary General Raphael Tuju and former Dagoretti South MP Dennis Waweru.

The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industries President Richard Ngatia and media owner SK Macharia and Prof Makau Mutua were also present.

Another one who has been close to Raila’s political affairs is Cotu boss Francis Atwoli, who has been rallying Western Kenya leaders and voters to back Raila.

“I want to assure you Raila that we won’t leave Gideon in OKA... Moi told us not to leave you behind. We will not leave you in OKA,” said Atwoli, a member of Kanu.

Raila’s allies such as ODM Secretary Seneral Edwin Sifuna have suggested that Raila will move on without the backing of his former coalition partners.

“Just like Uhuru Park in January 2018, we will count those who will be there, not those who won’t,” he said on Thursday, alluding to the January 10, 2018 mock swearing-in of Raila that Kalonzo, Wetang’ula and Mudavadi skipped. 

While President Kenyatta was engaged in Tanzania yesterday, members of his Cabinet such as Peter Munya (Agriculture), Eugene Wamalwa (Defence), Joe Mucheru (ICT), Ukur Yattani (Treasury) and Keriako Tobiko (Environment), Sicily Kariuki (Water) and Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho were present.

Munya, Tuju, Murathe and National Assembly Majority Leader Amos Kimunya addressed the crowd.

Others present were governors Joseph ole Lenku (Kajiado), Council of Governors chair Martin Wambora (Embu), Ali Korane (Garissa), Wilberforce Otichilo (Vihiga), Anyang’ Nyong’o (Kisumu) and Wycliffe Oparanya (Kakamega).

Other county bosses present were Alex Tolgos (Elgeyo Marakwet), Granton Samboja (Taita Taveta), John Lonyangapuo (West Pokot) and James Nyoro (Kiambu).

Others such as Siaya Senator James Orengo have been sidelined in favour of emerging leaders such as National Assembly Minority whip Junet Mohamed who has been at the centre of Raila’s Azimio la Umoja events.

Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, himself testing the idea of running for president, has also forged ahead in a pack of governors who flank Raila, as has Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho and Kisii’s James Ongwae.