Raila Odinga. [Photo/ Samrack Media]
As we approach the date for the rerun of the presidential election, key leaders appear keen on running away from Raila Odinga in NASA. Why is ‘everyone’ running away from the ODM boss?On Tuesday, PNU party leader Peter Munya dumped Raila for President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee party, after spending less than a week in the opposition. As soon as he arrived in the opposition, he was made a NASA principal — a prestigious position — which made him hold equal power as running mate Kalonzo Musyoka, ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi, Ford Kenya boss Moses Wetangula and flag-bearer Raila Odinga. A week earlier, former Bomet Governor Isaac Rutto quit the NASA coalition for the Jubilee party, vowing to campaign vigorously for the re-election of President Kenyatta. The Chama Cha Mashinani (CCM) party leader said he had been lonely in the opposition, and was returning home. He had been promised to be in charge of a number of ministries, including the devolution docket, if Raila won the presidency. But the former Council of Governors chairman walked away from all that to join Jubilee. A few days ago, Wiper party secretary general Hassan Omar quit the NASA coalition, saying he will not vote for Raila Odinga in the October 17 poll. He accused the NASA leaders of being ethnic chiefs, who could be bought by other politicians. Weeks earlier, then Kitui Senator David Musila, who was the Wiper chairman, left the party for Jubilee. Mr Musila, who was allegedly rigged out of the party’s Kitui gubernatorial primaries, said President Kenyatta’s development agenda in Ukambani region was way superior to Raila and Kalonzo’s. Tens of elected and former Kamba leaders have since declared their support for the re-election of the Jubilee leader. Across the country, a number of former key ODM leaders, such as governors, MPs and senators have joined the Jubilee Party. They include former Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka, Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya, Machakos Governor County boss Alfred Mutua, Budalang’i MP Ababu Namwamba among others. The question is: why are key leaders leaving Raila for Uhuru? The logical answer is like sports betting. They seem keen to place a sure bet. They want to be on the winning side. And President Kenyatta, having beaten Raila by more than 1.4 million votes in last’s election, is a huge favourite to win again. That is why they are leaving huge promises by Raila to join Jubilee, which they know stands a much better chance of winning.