How NASA lost in the general elections

juma chrispinus

August 12, 2017 9:15 AM

Despite the flaws, Raila garnered over six million votes.

For the fourth time, Raila Odinga has lost to the incumbent Uhuru Kenyatta.

His legacy, however, remains intact as the father of democracy and multi party democracy in Kenya.

Earlier, Kisumu County Deputy Governor Ruth Odinga hinted at voter apathy as a would-be a major blow to the Raila Presidency. This came as a result of the scuffle and fisting of feathers in the ODM top brass during the nominations in April.

There was controversy over awarding of certificates to what others said was a scheme to reward loyal ODM fanatics. Odinga, however, remained mum.

READ: How Raila lost votes in Western Kenya

Many of his key followers decamped from the party, some who contested as independent candidates. Kisumu home turf and Busia were worst hit by the mayhem.

Earlier, during heated campaigns across the country, NASA team called on its supporters to go out in large number and “guard their votes.” The plan involved deployment of five ‘guards’ per polling station. The strategy however, hit a snag when the IEBC issued a statement saying that only one agent would be allowed at the polling station.

In the recent time, Interior acting CS Dr Fred Matiang’i issued a warning to the team, making the strategy to backfire. It was seen that during the voting process, Raila Odinga, Musalia Mudavadi and Kalonzo Musyoka, left a polling stations after casting their polls, back to Nairobi.

Despite earlier court rulings which seemed to favour the opposition, something that caused panic in the ruling party, analysts argue that the Raila led team did not make use of some of the rulings.

Legal strategy the implementation of the jurisprudence of the rulings was not acclimatized. The legal environment was cleared for the NASA team.

Unfortunately, in some cases, many Forms 34A and 34Bs, the IEBC said, had not been signed by NASA agents. In some areas, NASA agents are said to have been missing.

This prompted the team led by Musalia Mudavadi and James Orengo to in total reject signing form34C, with which the Presidential returning officer would announce the reuslts. Te awl provides that in case the presidential agent fails to sign form 34C, the commission would use the popular vote to announce the winner.

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