NASA flag-bearer Raila Odinga. [Photo/ Courtesy of RO]
The team that will lead Raila Odinga’s presidential campaign in various parts of the country is out, and it is a surprise key leaders are people who got their nomination certificates through the bungled ODM primaries. It is a surprise because it’s hard for those leaders, who clearly did not win the just concluded primaries, to go to the same voters who rejected them to push for the candidature of the former prime minister and his running mate, former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka — and expect to be listened to. Busia Governor Sospeter Ojaamong, a key member of Raila’s team in Western, clearly lost the ODM gubernatorial primaries to Funyula MP Paul Otuoma, but was nevertheless given the nomination certificate. Since Otuoma will be on the ballot, Mr Ojaamong is a worried man. He needs to convince the people to reconsider their decision to reject him during the primaries in April. You cannot expect him to have a lot of time on his hands to coordinate the presidential campaigns of the Super Alliance (NASA) coalition in the Western region. If he focuses on Raila’s campaigns, he will no doubt receive a heavy beating from Otuoma on August 8. Senator Anyang’ Nyong’o will coordinate NASA’s presidential campaigns in Kisumu, a county that appeared to reject his bid to be the governor during the ODM primaries — but somehow received the party’s nomination certificate. Governor Jack Ranguma was declared the winner by one polling official, only for the decision to be rescinded by the party’s board on elections. Ranguma will be on the ballot as an independent, and this gives the political science professor sleepless nights. Prof Nyong’o knows that if he spends a lot of time pushing for Raila and Kalonzo’s bid in the county, the current governor will easily retain the seat as the county boss.Governors Cyprian Awiti of Homa Bay and Cornel Rasanga of Siaya appeared to use their connections in ODM to get the party’s nomination certificates, despite losing in the primaries. The voters in their counties are not happy. A number have openly declared their support for their favourite candidates, who are now running as independent candidates. Kitui Governor Julius Malombe, who has been chosen to lead NASA’s campaigns in his county the larger Ukambani region, caused Wiper chairman David Musila to quit the party and run as an independent candidate. When resigning, he accused Kalonzo Musyoka, the party boss, of rigging in Mr Malombe. I can’t see the governor spending all his time during the next three months pushing to have Raila elected as president when he has his own fire to deal with. How can Raila and Kalonzo expect to win when they have such team leaders in charge of their campaigns in areas where they must get the maximum number of votes possible if they stand a chance against Jubilee’s Uhuru Kenyatta.