Formations shaping up for 2022 polls
Four formations are taking shape in the Kenyan political scene, with each of them angling for President Uhuru Kenyatta’s endorsement for the 2022 presidential election.
The key is the Handshake that oscillates between the President and Opposition chief Raila Odinga, another led by Deputy President William Ruto, the recently cobbled One Kenya Alliance, also known as the Sacred Alliance while another crystalises around a senior public servant.
One Kenya Alliance comprises Amani National Congress (ANC) chief Musalia Mudavadi, former vice-president Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper), Moses Wetangula (Ford Kenya) and Kanu’s Gideon Moi.
The formations are now threatening the Handshake between Uhuru and Raila with accusations by a section of ODM politicians led by Siaya Senator James Orengo accusing Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho of working on an alternative succession plan and allegedly supporting the Sacred Alliance in the Matungu and Kabuchai by-elections.
Sacred Alliance
There have been frantic efforts by the Sacred Alliance to attract the backing of governors Hassan Joho (Mombasa) and Amason Kingi of Kilifi from Raila’s corner.
“As we speak today, we are in a very risky situation. We have four political formations.
One of which is being headed by the Deputy President, we have a second one under Uhuru and Raila, we have this new team of Mudavadi and his allies and we have another one being headed by a senior public official.
It has never been heard before that government officials are coalescing to form a political formation away from the president,” Kiamba MP Paul Koinange told People Daily in an interview.
Amidst the jostling is what appears to be the increasing visibility of Gideon mobilising following for the Building Bridges Initiative(BBI) and played a central role in the recent by-elections in Western and Machakos.
“Besides the Raila and Ruto formations and the Mudavadi, Kalonzo, Gideon and Wetangula team, which exposed itself during the recent by-elections, the Raila and Gideon team are keen on Joho as they fight for the coast’s soul. National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi is being reached out to join the team,” a high placed source privy to the ongoing realignments.
Political ambitions
Tiaty MP William Kamket, a close ally of senator Moi, said the Kanu leader is also keen to woo Meru Senator Mithika Linturi and nominated MP Cecily Mbarire from Ruto’s camp to reinforce the Baringo Gideon’s political ambitions.
“Gideon Moi is being supported by Mudavadi in Western Kenya, the other one (Ruto) is being backed by (Bonny) Khalwale, now who will get votes there? Gideon Moi is with Moses Wetangula in Bungoma.
Gideon Moi is with Kalonzo Musyoka, the other one is with (Johnston) Muthama. In Mombasa, Moi has the backing of Ali Hassan Joho while the other one has Aisha Jumwa,” said Kamket.
It is apparent that President Uhuru has fallen out with Ruto who last week declared that he was ready to quit the governing Jubilee party and pursue his presidential ambitions using the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) route.
National Assembly Leader of Majority Amos Kimunya said Uhuru was neutral in the power game and currently focused on the BB1.
“Any candidate claiming that they have the support of the president or Raila is playing politics. After BBI is passed, they have a mouth and they will pronounce themselves as much.
I am sure the president has not endorsed anyone. Some people even go to Harambees to claim that they were sent by the President, we all know that even when they have not been sent by him,” Kimunya said.
Jubilee deputy Secretary General Joshua Kutuny yesterday said heightened political activities have been happening behind the scenes as leaders seek to work together politically but said it would be too early to create formidable outfits considering there is a pending referendum and the Uhuru and Raila factor due to their Handshake.
“What we have are people teaming up and trying to see if they can work together. They are jostling for positions.
They want to make themselves relevant and put a price on themselves, which is the nature of politics.
However, most of these groupings are non-entities. The truth of the matter is that we will have coalitions, one that will be led by Uhuru and Raila one side and William Ruto on the other side,” the Cherang’any MP told People Daily.
