NASA principals at Uhuru Park on Thursday, April 27, 2017. [Photo/@RailaOdinga]Yesterday marked the end on painful anxiety among Opposition supporters, after the National Super Alliance (NASA) made known their presidential candidate and running mate.
ODM leader Raila Odinga was named the presidential candidate amid cheers from the crowd.
Wiper’s Kalonzo Musyoka will be Raila’s running mate, just like in the 2013 general election.
Other co-principals - Musalia Mudavadi, will be the Premier Cabinet Secretary if NASA ascends to power after August polls. Moses Wetangula and Isaac Ruto will be Deputy Premier Cabinet Secretaries.
The decision by NASA to settle on the 2013 line-up that lost to Jubilee’s President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto has been criticised by a section of Kenyan political fans and followers.
Most of them argue that the best line-up that would probably cause Jubilee problems would be Kalonzo – Mudavadi. They feel Raila is a spent force and will not excite more than 50 per cent of voters.
Raila Odinga after he was named NASA presidential candidate at Uhuru Park.
So, why did NASA settle on a Raila – Kalonzo ticket?
The committees that were tasked with identifying the strengths of the co-principals ranked Raila on top based on four factors: potential to encourage high voter turn in opposition zones, infiltrate Jubilee regions, turning Jubilee areas into battlegrounds and the one candidate whose absence as a presidential candidate would lead to voter apathy among opposition supporters.
The NASA technical committee suggested that the ODM leader would increase turn-out in 12 counties - Kisii, Nyamira, Migori, Kisumu, Busia, Siaya, Taita Taveta, Kilifi, Kwale, Homa Bay, Turkana and Mombasa.
The committees also felt he had the potential to win 4.6 million votes out of 8.2 million.
Raila was tipped to infiltrate nine Jubilee strongholds and get 40 per cent; Kericho, Bomet, Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Nakuru, Uasin Gishu, Laikipia, Isiolo and West Pokot were cited as areas he could secure 3.5 million votes.
The team also felt Raila can also turn Jubilee strongholds into battlegrounds and get 50 per cent and win in swing counties by 60 per cent.
Lastly, it was feared that his absence from the ballot could reduce votes by 40 per cent in seven counties.
The battle line has now been drawn. It’s a re-match between Raila-Kalonzo and Uhuru-Ruto come August 8, 2017.
Who do you think will win?