NASA principal Kalonzo Musyoka. (Photo/standardmedia.co.ke)The National Super Alliance (NASA) has set to swear-in their August 8, 2017 presidential candidate Raila Odinga and his counterpart Kalonzo Musyoka on claims that they won the outcome of the presidential election. The coalition has maintained that they can only call-off the January 30 event if dialogue is held to discuss solutions to electoral injustices and the issue of exclusivity in the country.
Kalonzo has been among the coalition's leaders calling for the swearing-in citing that they are not afraid of the penalty associated with treason. In fact, both Raila and Kalonzo have reiterated that they are ready to face the hangman's noose if that is the price they have to pay.
However, Kalonzo should not flatter himself about the swearing-in at all. As a man who has shown his interests in running for presidency come 2022, the move may be detrimental to his future political endeavors.
The race to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta already promises to be a hotly contest. Deputy president William Ruto, Baringo senator Gideon Moi, Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho and NASA principal Musalia Mudavadi have all expressed interest in becoming the 5th president of the republic.
The Wiper party itself has been divided on what should happen to solve the ongoing political stalemate with some of its leaders advocating for dialogue while others calling for the swearing-in. This is already a problem to him as the party is an avenue for him to forge future political mergers for the next general elections.
Kalonzo's hard-line stand to have himself sworn-in as the deputy president may have some Kenyans disassociate themselves from his political agenda. Currently, the seasoned politician is struggling with the existence of Maendeleo Chap Chap party in his perceived stronghold.
As the race for 2022 has already picked up, the former deputy president should reorganize himself and start a campaign to endear himself to voters in a bid to consolidate a majority of Kenyans for his ambitions. The competition may get tough as time goes by and an earlier political scheming may prove advantageous.
The leader should also restrain from following everything Raila sets out to do. For Raila, he has had a short at the presidency four times without being successful and Kalonzo should now consider working with leaders who will steer him to victory. He thus should abandon the swearing-in and focus for future elections.