Raila crafting 'super alliance' of opposition

CORD is working on a 'super alliance' with Musalia Mudavadi's Amani National Congress, Kanu and Cyrus Jirongo's United Democratic Party.

Cord leader Raila Odinga is spearheading the initiative that aims to bring together several opposition groupings.

Seven secret meetings have been held, with some of the running agenda being to settle on a single candidate to take on President Uhuru Kenyatta in next year's election, but many of the issues are yet to be concluded. Senior officials of the various groups have confirmed the meetings. Opposition chiefs attend the meetings unaccompanied by their aides; some of them even drive themselves to the venues of the talks in a bid to avoid leakage of information. Cord's three principals, Raila, Kalonzo Musyoka and Moses Wetang'ula, have all declared their interest in the opposition ticket. If the so-called super alliance succeeds, it will complicate the ruling Jubilee's equation to win over the Western Kenya vote bloc, Raila's political bedrock and stronghold. The development forced Uhuru to postpone his tour of the Western and Eastern regions and instead proceed to a three-day working visit of Northern Kenya. Advance teams, including security agents, had already been dispatched to the two regions a month to the anticipated presidential tour. The postponement of the tours is meant to give Uhuru's political strategists time to analyse the implication of a scenario where Raila might join forces with other opposition leaders ahead of 2017. State House operatives have been focusing on an Uhuru-Raila presidential duel but have now been forced back to the drawing board to explore a scenario where all opposition parties coalesce around one presidential candidate. The super alliance targets Western, Northern, Eastern, Coast and parts of Rift valley. UDP leader Jirongo has been tasked to unite Western Kenya leaders for the super coalition, leaving out politicians allied to New Ford Kenya Eugene Wamalwa and Musikari Kombo. Jirongo is said to be coordinating the talks for a coalition between the ANC and Ford Kenya for a single alliance. "I can say the talks are going on, but we will come to you at the right time. Wetang'ula and Musalia are also involved, but I won't add anything more," said Jirongo. Sources say Baringo Senator Gideon Moi will use the new outfit to weaken the DP's grip on the Rift Valley. They say Kanu was brought on board to ensure the opposition grabs the South Rift, made up of Kericho, Bomet, Nakuru and Kajiado. Gideon is also targeting parts of the North Rift like Baringo, Pokot and Turkana. The communities targeted include the Maasai and Kipsigis. Bomet Governor Isaac Rutto has already announced that he will not join the Jubilee Party. "The constitution allows us to work together with everyone and as we put our house in order, we are also focused on reforms at the IEBC. After the IEBC commissioners go home, we will make serious announcements in preparation for the 2017 elections," said Salat. Jubilee has been taunting the opposition to name its candidate. Ruto last month asked the opposition coalition to name Uhuru's challenger at next year's general election. "Sisi tuna Uhuru kama mgombea urais. Wao watuambie ni nani tutamenyana na yeye (We have Uhuru as our flagbearer and they should tell us their candidate, so that we know who we will wrestle with)," Ruto said in Wajir. The opposition targets to solidify its support bases as well as gain support in swing and battleground blocs to win against the Jubilee Party in the first round. The talks currently mapping the areas that favour Wiper, Ford Kenya, Kanu, UDP and ANC are baptised are tagged 'the super coalition' at the talks. "First we have to change the IEBC, then plan ahead, but trust me we will leave no stone unturned until we take over this country to see the people's rights respected, corruption stopped and embark on development and cohesion," says Salat. Salat explains the talks have brought on board religious organisations, trade unions and civil society groups in what he terms a plan geared towards "getting those who are comfortable out of their comfort zones." He adds: "We are not leaving anyone behind and we are going ahead as a team and a united nation." Cord shadow Justice Cabinet Secretary and Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma said the opposition is focused on addressing the issues that affect Kenyans at this particular moment. "We have put everything in place to win the elections in 2017, but for now we are addressing reforms, putting the government on accountability watch and we will launch our campaigns at the right time confidently to win," said Kaluma. Siaya Senator James Orengo said the opposition has adapted an issue-based approach to address the emerging challenges that face Kenyans. He said the first issue is the IEBC, which has brought together Kanu, Martha Karua, the trade unions and civil society groups. "I can't say we already have a coalition apart from Cord and Jubilee, but I can confirm that we are working with other people who want to see Kenya become a good place," says Jirongo. Sources in Jubilee who did not wish to be quoted by name said the political terrain would change if Raila endorsed another candidate.

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