President Uhuru Kenyatta with NASA flag bearer Raila Odinga in a past function. [Photo/The Star].
Two political forces have once again emerged in the run to the August 8, polls, in 2013 it was CORD versus Jubilee with all promising better lives for Kenyans, now we are stuck again with two repackaged outfits a re-branded Jubilee Party and National Super Alliance (NASA), same 'monkeys' different forest.
Tension has been experienced with Kenyans supporting the two political divides fighting their battle mostly on the social media sites where everyone is keen that his side will come out winners after August 8th.
Politicians from both sides have also been heard advocating for their principals and the 'dogs' are really barking well for their owners.
The stakes are very high according to political pundit Sekou Toure Otondi, there are 3 major reasons why the stakes are at an all time high this time round.
Otondi hypothesizes that a lack of a credible court system could be one of the major reasons why 2017 elections are showcasing high stakes.
"There could be a repeat of 2007 because the official opposition has questioned the institutions charged with conducting elections and resolving election disputes," writes Otondi.
Former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka and Deputy President William Ruto at a past function. [Photo/Daily Nation].
The analyst also pointed at three other factors that increase tension in the run to the polls, he says both Raila Odinga and Uhuru Kenyatta are keen to leave a reputable political legacy, hence none of them wants to be on the wrong side of history.
"To begin with, Uhuru Kenyatta is keen to avoid the tag of being Kenya's first one-term president, while Raila Odinga is making what is widely speculated to be his last stab at the presidency," he said.
According to the political scientist who is a PhD candidate, the 2022 succession politics is also another reason why tension is building up between the two political outfits and there supporters.
"The post-2017 presidential "succession plan". Neither Odinga nor Kenyatta are expected to be on the ballot in 2022. By law Kenyatta is bound to step down after two terms and Odinga has indicated that he will be a one-term president," said Otondi.
The analyst however, indicated that the changing tide of politics in Kenya which is based on ethnic calculations means there is no guarantee that DP William Ruto and Kalonzo Musyoka will be on the ballot in 2022.
"The shift in political alliances may even result in the two deputies (Kalonzo and Ruto) working together in 2022," he said.
Kenya founding fathers Jaramogi Odinga and Jomo Kenyatta. [Photo/Standard Media].
Finally, Otondi says the stakes are higher in 2017 because it has something to do with political dynasties in Kenya.
"The 2017 presidential polls is likely to be the final duel between the Kenyatta and Odinga dynasties.The two families have dominated Kenyan politics for more than half a century," he said.
"The rift between the families has never been healed. The upcoming election can be interpret as the final battle in settling the long-standing political scores between the Odinga and Kenyatta scions," he added.