ODM leader Raila Odinga’s move to satisfy all the more than 20 political parties supporting his August presidential bid could kill the nourishing Azimio la Umoja coalition.
Even as the presidential hopeful is struggling to appease dozens of political parties, some are accusing the former prime minister of dishonesty.
Furthermore, Raila’s big headache is trying to keep Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and the three Ukambani governors Alfred Mutua (Machakos), Charity Ngilu (Kitui), and Kivutha Kibwana (Makueni).
Apart from zoning, the late entry of the Wiper leader into the coalition appears to have complicated matters as Kalonzo seemed to enjoy many benefits including being named as the potential running mate.
This saw Alfred Mutua issue fresh demands that he be named Raila’s running mate, the demands that the DAP-K party had previously raised claiming that Defense CS Eugine Wamalwa was equal to the task
Last week, at least eight political parties coalescing under the ‘Mwanzo Mpya’ had threatened to ditch the coalition, prompting the former prime minister to convene a meeting with the parties.
However, as Raila brokered a deal with the Mwanzo Mpya caucus, the outcome appeared not to settle well with the Wiper leader.
The ongoing party nominations have torn Raila apart since some political parties have rejected his proposal of zoning for fear of being devoured by the major parties in the coalition.
Furthermore, at least four political parties have written to the registrar of political parties Anne Nderitu requesting her to suspend the registration of Azimio la Umoja- One Kenya coalition party.
Political analyst Herman Manyora said Raila is going through a lot of pressure.
“What Kenyans were witnessing could simply be the tip of the iceberg. He (Raila) might end up getting scratched so much if he doesn’t play his politics in a structured manner,” Manyora said.
