Self decared Youth who is over 70 years old now, Raila Odinga is setting up a team that will spearhead his 2022 Election campaign months before the anticipated referendum.
Raila, since his truce with Uhuru Kenyatta has now started acting ‘like’ a Stateman and fixing his team with softhearted, almost pro-Uhuru ditching his hardcore sycophants.
The AU’s special envoy and former Premier through an ODM internal taskforce led by Catherine Mumma is rebuilding the once biggest political party in Kenya by shaking off chaos filled primaries that has been the main reason as to why ODM was losing seats in past polls.
Raila is also shaping his Western and Nyanza bloc inner circle after falling short of lieutenants who were bought out from his buddies by Jubilee party some directly while others influenced through affiliate parties.
After When the former Gem MP, the mouthy Jakoyo Midiwo and former Chief of staff in the Grand Coalition government Caroli Omondi who chased away Raila from his Orange House after ditching RAO, the AU envoy is now refilling the dents.
Also, Raila’s fallout with the former ODM vocal secretary-general Ababu Namwamba, and former vice-chairman Paul Otuoma dented his Western tight-circle.
Raila has replaced Midowo and Caroli with ODM Chairman John Mbadi, and the Director of elections Junet Mohammed, the two are also leading ODM’s campaign to repossess the Kibra Constituency seat, are leading Raila’s Nyanza team.
Kisumu Governor and a political scientist Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o, Raila’s sister and former deputy governor Ruth Odinga, Nyando MP Jared Okello and Seme legislator James Nyikal are the Nyanza midfielders in Raila’s political team.
Dr Nyikal Okello, who has a huge international connection, the chairman of the Luo Parliamentary Group, is also in Raila’s kitchen cabinet as the Secretary of Public Policy and Economic Affairs.
Raila also has former minister and now the ageing senators Sam Ongeri and the old, former Attorney General Amos Wako as part of his team Nyanza.
ODM Chair and Suba MP John Mbadi, who almost lost his seat to Caroli’s brother said this reshuffles are a normal political strategy in every fearful political team.
“I can tell you that we have recruited new people to our team as part of our preparations. People like Senator Sam Ongeri, Amos Wako are part of our team. We also have people from Jubilee who are now working with us,” Mbadi Said.
“That new working relationship was demonstrated in how county assemblies rejected the Punguza Mizigo Bill. You could see central and Nyanza leading in rejecting the bill. I can assure you that we will have a very formidable alliance.” ODM’s Chair added.
Kisii Governor James Ongwae leads Raila’s team while in Southern Nyanza, the i will strip naked, Homa Bay Woman Representative Gladys Wanga is a key ally.
“Junet is not only Baba’s man in southern Nyanza, he is also a national errand boy. He is a trusted emissary. He is also a good negotiator. This is why you always see him by Raila’s side in some very difficult missions, like during the March 9, 2018 handshake at Harambee House.” said an ODM insider praising the political hawker and Suna East MP.
Raila says he’s originally a Luhya from the family of Nabongo Mumia but grew up in Nyanza. In western his alleged home, Raila has chosed retiring Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, one of ODM’s two deputy party leaders as the led for team Raila Western commanders.
The KANU mentality and advised ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi has also been rendered useless in his own yard by RAO who has sweettalked Mudavadi’s own Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala, Saboti MP Caleb Hamisi, and evicted ANC Secretary General and nominated MP Geoffrey Osotsi.
To add a blow to the politically confused and rendered nonviable Mudavadi, RAO has ODM SG Edwin Sifuna and Busia Woman Rep Florence Mutua back his Western team up.
“It is too early to speak about 2022. The strategy we may have now may change before then. As a party, we will continue to strengthen our outfit.” Junet commented on the links to his ODM deals yesterday.
In Siaya, Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi, who is also the ODM director of political affairs, and East African Legislative Assembly MP Oburu Oginga are key figures in Raila’s political strategy.
Raila’s righthandman, Siaya Senator James Orengo, in a previous TV interview openly disclosed that Raila And Uhuru will work together in 2022 with BBI report anticanticipated to propose a referendum.
“Raila wants to build a new generation of leaders in western while scheming for better things. He has stopped shooting straight from the hip and has succeed in calming the hitherto hot waters in the region,” says governance expert Joshua Orero.
Ochieng Obiero, a political commentator and strategists said that Raila wants to retire as a noble man, he doesn’t want to hang his boots like a MAU MAU bushfighter.
“It is difficult to say who is his man in Nyanza and western. It is only guesswork. Raila does not want to burn bridges,” Ochieng’ said.
