NASA tours Jubilee's Mt. Kenya region to popularise the new coalition
ODM party clinched two seats in the region in 2013, but the two MPs - Kubai Kiringo and Mpuru Aburi - have since decamped to Jubilee Party.
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Coalition leaders, Raila Odinga (ODM), Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper), Moses Wetangula (Ford Kenya) and Musalia Mudavadi (Amani) have invaded the voter’s block split Meru County Monday on a mission to popularise the new NASA Coalition, as part of the strategy announced during it’s lunch last week.
The leaders have been touring areas perceived to be Jubilee strongholds to marshal support ahead of the poll. They started their onslaught in Eldoret on Saturday following the official signing of their agreement.
In the 2013 general election, Odinga’s ODM party clinched two seats in the region, Igembe Central and Tigania East parliamentary seats. Interestingly, all the elected MPs have since decamped to Jubilee. MPs Kubai Kiringo and Mpuru Aburi have since decamped to Jubilee Party.
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In the recent past, Raila has branded himself as a friend of Meru people by targeting miraa farmers whose fortunes have plunged following a ban on the commodity export in the recent past. The Jubilee administration in its appropriations budget, allocated Sh1 billion to revamp the declining business.
No fallout
Addressing journalists at Wilson Airport before flying to Meru, Raila has accused the media of orchestrating the fallout of NASA leadership, adding that the coalition’s technical committee’s selection process will be highly respected.
"We will respect the outcome the committee's process. Any rumours of fallout are baseless propaganda peddled by our detractors," he told journalists.
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Previously, political analysts held that a major split for NASA would come due to their self-interests, in declaring the presidential candidate.
During the launch of the coalition last week, there was no mention of the presidential flag bearer, despite a high expectation.
Eldoret tour
Over the weekend, In DP William Ruto's backyard, the opposition leaders told supporters that their alliance was the better alternative.
"I think we don't have Jubilee or Cord strongholds anymore. Kenyans have moved on since 2013. Nasa is a completely different animal. We want to make our assessment," Raila told Eldoret residents.
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Raila has been keen on wait to reap form the political fallout between Ruto and a number of his allies including Bomet Governor Isaac Rutto and KANU's call to support Uhuru's reelection last week.
Rift Valley voted overwhelmingly for Raila, the 2007 ODM’s presidential flag bearer, but in the 2013 election, the ground shifted, with Raila garnering few votes in the region. The Kalenjin dominated area voted for Uhuru Kenyatta as DP Ruto was his running mate.
"The elections will tell us the reality on the ground. We should stop classifying regions as Jubilee or Cord strongholds," Raila said.
During the Saturday rally, Raila said the Jubilee government has failed in ensuring that Kenyans have enough to eat by ignoring farmers in North rift.
"We are here to show that Eldoret is the headquarter of North Rift and the breadbasket of Kenya. It is sad that the Jubilee government continues to fail Kenyans starting with the DP's home area," he said.
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Raila is currently addressing people in Timau, Meru County. He is expected in votes-rich Tharaka-Nithi County on Tuesday.
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