The emerging rifts at the opposition cord coalition camp are proving a real headache for former national assembly speaker, Farah Maalim who is headed for a tough battle against Duale.
According to James Kimani, a political analyst, the continued conflicts at the party's top management will do much harm to the hopeful than Raila, Kalonzo or even Wetangula as the co-principals.
“The threats issued by Wetangula's Ford Kenya and Kalonzo's wiper party are an indicator that the duo are on their way out. It is as if the top leadership is reconciling with their respective communities,” says Kimani.
However, what poses the great challenge for Maalim is the fact that he missed administrative position in the cord opposition even after Ababu Namwamba decamped from the party.
There were widespread speculations that Maalim could be rewarded with the position after Ababu's exit, but the opposite happened.
It is this tragic turn of events that Duale gets a boost in political mileage.
Given the fact that Garissa Township voted massively for Duale and his URP party in 2013, a repeat of the same might happen in 2017 if Raila does not cleanse his house and help the legislative hopeful to oust the Jubilee die hard Duale.