It is all systems go as NASA inks coalition deal, leaders unveil master plan

The agreement is largely a framework of operations and highlights seven key pillars under which the coalition's agenda will be anchored.

The new alliance brings together Raila Odinga's Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), Wiper Party led by Mr Kalonzo Musyoka, Ford Kenya led by Mr Moses Wetang’ula and Musalia Mudavadi’s Amani National Congress (ANC).

While formalising the new alliance, the opposition leaders did not unveil any power sharing agreement.

The highlights of the deal include proposals for the position of Chief Minister, which, according to opposition insiders, would go to the NASA ticket aspirant who emerges third in the alliance’s presidential nominations race.

Seven pillar policy

NASA has disputed earlier claims that marred social media that the deal signed was for power sharing, and instead Wetangula, in a joint statement, stated that it is out to deliver Kenya.

In a rejoinder, the NASA outfit has reckoned its pledge to reconcile and heal Kenya, directing an outburst to the ruling Jubilee over widespread tribalism.

Referring to the looting spree, specifically the highly touted NYS scam, the opposition has retaliated that their election into office by the 19 million listed voters would jumpstart equality, more recognition for of women, persons living with disabilities, youth and the disadvantaged groups.

NASA has pledged to strengthen devolution, if elected in the August polls.

“The NASA Coalition government will institute a transformation initiative that will cure this colonial hangover so that every public officer, from the President down is at all times alive to the fact that they are employed by the people to serve, not to rule over them,” Wetangula said.

Voters register

With just 166 days to the August polls, Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, who spoke shortly after the signing of the deal, called on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to “clean up the voters register in a bid to avoid voting related problems.”

On his part, Amani National Coalition’s bigwig Musalia Mudavadi has warned the IEBC of meddling figures, terming the win by NASA, “beneficial to all, including the Jubilee side.”

Read more: 3.7M NEW VOTERS LISTED BY THE IEBC

The sentiments by Mudavadi and Musyoka come exactly two weeks even after the NASA team met the IEBC.

The Wafula Chebukati led commission IEBC, met NASA bigwigs at Nairobi’s Orange House and pledged to address concerns raised by the opposition on the just concluded mass voter registration.

Some of the issues NASA presented in its dossier were double registration, use of fake IDs and the alleged use of the NYS register to list people as legitimate voters.

Raila had also said that the commission was using civil servants and state resources to facilitate registration of voters in certain areas.

Earlier, NASA claimed that IEBC staff was being compromised by Jubilee Party. Raila and his team said they want the workers vetted and for the government to provide data on births and deaths.

Flag bearer

Sources familiar with the meetings that hammered out the deal revealed the alliance’s line-up will see the winner of the nominations become the presidential flag-bearer and the runner-up his running mate and alliance's choice of Deputy President in case of victory.

The agreement which the NASA co-principals met last night to discuss following fears it had leaked and had caused jitters within some party's key supporters, requires that in victory, a NASA president exercises power of executive decree to create the office of Chief Minister.

The alliance would then seek a constitutional amendment to transform the office of Chief Minister into that of Prime Minister as it was under the Grand Coalition Government between 2008-2013.

Eldoret rally

The first of its kind political rally is expected this Saturday in DP Ruto’s backyard, Eldoret as the NASA embarks on a vote hunt in Jubilee held areas.

In an update of the final tally by the polls agency IEBC, Uasin Gishu County now has 451,485 eligible voters while Elgeyo Marakwet has 178,975 down from the 2013’s 332,177voters and 135,487 respectively. Isaac Rutto’s Bomet County has 325,606 voters, compared to the 2013’s 253,060 voters.

The return to Eldoret by NASA marks a new offensive charm in the Ruto’s backyard, barely a month after the four bigwigs invaded the Jubilee rich vote zone in a rally recently orgainised by Bomet Governor and DP Ruto critic Isaac Rutto.

Currently, the leading the battleground counties are Nairobi (2,304,386), Kisii (544,753), Kajiado (409,266), Narok (347,427), Trans Nzoia (339,832), Nyamira (279,685) and Turkana (188,617).