Opinion divided over plans to resuscitate moribund NASA

ODM party leader Raila Odinga and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka at the JKIA VIP lounge, 2019. [Dennis Kavisu]

Efforts to revive the moribund National Super Alliance (NASA) have seemingly hit a snag after allies of the principals gave conditions for its resuscitation.

During the burial of former Kibwezi MP, Kalembe Ndile in Mbui Nzau, Makueni County, ODM leader Raila Odinga, Wiper's Kalonzo Musyoka and Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu made a case for the unity of the Opposition.

Raila said he had come a long way with Kalonzo, and would not make the mistake of separating with him and they will unite and bring true redemption to Kenya.

Kalonzo maintained that NASA was still alive, describing it as the alliance ticket that would 'sweep the country clean.'

On Saturday, Deputy President William Ruto welcomed calls for unity of the opposition saying this will ensure a two-horse race in 2022.

Yesterday, Amani National Congress (ANC) leader Musalia Mudavadi said that there were issues of breach of trust within the coalition and insisted that any move to revive the alliance should be genuine.

"These people want to paint us as people who cannot make political moves if we are not allied to some politicians, I am there and want to stand with Kenyans, I am ready and am prepared to take over, " said Mudavadi.

Kakamega Senator Cleopas Malala said that they will join the NASA bandwagon but as long as Raila will be a kingmaker.

"NASA is long gone and if in indeed we want to bring it back, we will do with one condition, Mudavadi will have to be the flag bearer supported by Raila and his coalition partners," said Malala.

The senator noted that Raila had spent his last bullet and therefore should pave way for another coalition partner to make a stab at the presidency. 

But, Nominated MP Godfrey Osotsi, who registered NASA-supported calls to revive it saying political reality will hit Kalonzo, Wetangula, and Mudavadi that they have no choice but to team up with Raila because their parties cannot go into the election and win.

"The surest way to win the 2022 election is to ensure that they team up. Kalonzo, Wetangula, and Mudavadi parties are very regional, for them to access power they must have a coalition," said Osotsi.

The Nominated MP noted that Raila still has influence in Nyanza, Western, Nairobi, Coast, and Rift Valley, so it was politically safe for other NASA principals to team up with him, with only 13 months to the polls with the last six months being campaign period.

He further said that the NASA team eight months to organise themselves and prepare for the polls.

"I know some politicians in Western especially those vying for seats in Kakamega and Vihiga are pushing Mudavadi to vie for presidency not because they think they have a chance but they believe they will easily win the seats if Mudavadi is the candidate. They are being selfish, they will ride on his back to win their seats, Mudavadi needs to be wise enough," said Osotsi.

He claimed that Malala and Lugari MP Ayub Savula are unfairly pushing Mudavadi to be on the ballot when they know he will not win, a clear repeat of 2013 political blackmail.

Osotsi said there are only two leaders who can mount a national campaign in the country and that is Raila and Ruto and the other NASA principals should align with them.

"From the look, Ruto is not likely to be their option because he has put together his team, the only politically clever thing to do is to put up a stronger and bigger coalition and the best way is to revive NASA," said Osotsi.