It has now emerged that UK based firm Cambridge Analytica contacted Former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga’s camp ahead of the 2017 elections. The firm wanted to manage his campaign as he sought to rise to power.
Leaked emails indicate that the firm’s local agent, Marcus Beltran reached out to the opposition in an attempt for a contract to manage its entire campaign but the team rejected the offer.
The email was reportedly sent to the ODM team by an agent to Alexander Nix by the name Beltran. The campaign team of the African Union Special Envoy turned down the offer presented to it.
“As a quick reminder, whilst working for Jimnah, he got me a meeting with the seemingly all of Odinga's senior staff and they were interested,” reads the email.
Odinga and his team later accused the firm of helping President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto rig the elections.
The firm took charge of revamping the party’s campaign strategy including rebranding, re-writing of the manifesto, analysis of the political terrain, and deciding the messages the party sent to the electorate.
Odinga was floored by Uhuru in both the elections after he turned down the offer that was presented to him. It has also been established that the agents of the party sought a meeting with the aides of Raila but the same did not bear fruits.
The firm has been linked to the victory of US President Donald Trump. It has also played a pivotal role in the campaigns in Argentina, India, Czech Republic and Nigeria.