ODM leader Raila Odinga is assembling troops ahead of the impending referendum and 2022 polls, reports the Sunday Nation.
In the inner circle team, Mr Odinga has included politicians, lawyers, family members and religious leaders. The team is helping with strategy.
“The strategy is simply to help Raila navigate his politics. You can see that he has abandoned confrontational politics and taken the path of consultation,” a source familiar with the team said.
Key players in this close knit team include foe-turned-friend and Jubilee Secretary-General Raphael Tuju, ODM deputy party leaders Wycliffe Oparanya and Hassan Joho, Suna East MP Junet Mohammed, Mr Odinga’s brother Oburu Oginga, his wife Ida, University don Adams Oloo, Busia Senator Amos Wako, lawyer Paul Mwangi and Bishop Zacheus Okoth.
Others said to have Mr Odinga’s ear are his long serving aide Andrew Mondoh, Governors James Ongwae (Kisii), Anyang Nyong’o (Kisumu), and ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna.
Mr Joho and Oparanya are in the team by the virtue of their expansive political networks. The two are serving their final terms as governors.
“If you recall the ODM Pentagon that consisted of regional kingpins in 2007, you will understand the matrix. Oparanya and Joho are still key for Raila’s future political ambitions,” a source close to Mr Odinga said.
Mr Mohamed has lately topped former aides and is often privy to Odinga's moves. Recently at Migori, he conceded that he's in the 'kitchen' of Mr Odinga's political movements.
Governor Nyong'o, although he's not often involved, plays still a key role in the team although peripheral. This is the same as Mr Mondoh and Governor Ongwae.
“It has even become difficult to seek Mr Odinga’s opinion on the affairs of Kisumu County government due to his closeness with the governor,” the source said.