ODM is apparently determined to see its leader Raila Odinga become the Cord presidential flag bearer come 2017 General elections.
The party has stepped up its offensive against Uhuru Kenyatta's newly launched Jubilee Party where they have accused the Jubilee government of sabotage of Cord supporters and economic exclusion.
ODM and Cord new rallying cry for 2017 election has already started taking shape. The ragtag coalition has been vocal on corruption and what they term as economic exclusion and sabotage of their supporters by the government. Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho was quoted in the media on Tuesday saying that Jubilee has been about two leaders and their communities.
“Jubilee does not deserve a second term because of its deliberate policy of economic sabotage. It is impoverishing communities and regions perceived to be non-supportive. Even the new Jubilee Party logo, Uhuru and Ruto holding hands, shows it is about two people and their communities," said Joho.
In the run-up to 2013 elections, the rallying cry was largely on land and ICC cases that were facing the UhuRuto duo then. All of us know how the two turned the ICC cases to their advantage.
Fast-forward to 2017 rallying cry. Will it work for the opposition or will it backfire on them like 2013's?
The latter is more likely.
First, on corruption accusations, Jubilee will argue in the court of public opinion that it was not in charge when mega-scandals like Goldenberg, Anglo-Leasing and the maize scandal that happened when Cord leader was Prime Minister took place.
So, they will easily shove this accusation away and leave the opposition with egg on their face. On economic exclusion where Cord has accused Jubilee of ethnic public appointments and 'taking development' to Jubilee strongholds, UhuRuto will remind them the time when Jubilee supporters accused them of sidelining them to go and woo Cord supporters through megaprojects.
From the reviving of dying Mumias Sugar Factory to breathing new life to dead Webuye Paper Factory, Jubilee here has many points to score.
On sabotaging Cord supporters, well Jubilee will have no case to answer here. The question will likely be, is taking dialysis machines to Homabay or Machakos county hospitals sabotage? Or, how are we sabotaging your Kilifi, Mombasa among other of your supporters by issuing them with title deeds while they had lived without them for decades?
Time will tell.