Is there a political coalition between Central and Nyanza regions?
Former Central Kenya legislators, held a four-hour closed-door meeting with ODM deputy party leader Wycliffe Oparanya on December and declared support for the ‘handshake’ between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Mr Odinga.
The meeting came after details of a closed-door meeting President Uhuru Kenyatta had with Luo Nyanza leaders emerged.
The meeting at the Kisumu State Lodge showed a people who are out to forge a common political path with their central Kenya counterparts.
Multiple interviews with those present show that Siaya Senator James Orengo set the tone when he urged President Kenyatta to consider backing Mr Odinga in 2022 in “the spirit of the March 9 handshake”, almost veering off the agenda.
“We would be happy if your excellency considers offering your support for Mr Odinga to continue with your March 9 peace deal of uniting the country and enhancing good governance,” Mr Orengo reportedly told the President.
He said the Head of State should demonstrate political goodwill by passing the baton to the ODM leader. Others weighed in.
The former legislators also hinted at forming a coalition with Opposition chief Raila Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party.
The private meeting was held at Mr Oparanya’s home in Karen, Nairobi.
Led by former senators Mutahi Kagwe (Nyeri), Kembi Gitura (Murang’a) and Muriuki Karue (Nyandarua), the politicians on Saturday said they were also checking on the Kakamega governor since he had been unwell.
In June2018, the same team and some businessmen from the region held a three-hour closed-door meeting at a Nairobi hotel where they vowed to work with Mr Odinga.
“There are going to be so many alliances and in politics, many things happen. We went to see Raila sometimes back and we are going to have many more meetings with other leaders all over the country,” Mr Gitura said.
Though the politicians were edged out of elective politics after the disputed Jubilee Party primaries last year, Mr Gitura said they are not bitter and are not against Deputy President William Ruto’s presidential ambitions.
A section of the losers in the primaries blamed Mr Ruto for their loss, saying he interfered with the nominations and “planted” his preferred candidates in the region.
Mr Gitura insisted the group is not hiding its activities and will continue engaging with Opposition politicians, although majority of Mt Kenya voters and elected leaders support Mr Ruto’s bid.
The leaders also impressed upon the Mr Kenyatta to have the Standard Gauge Railway run from Naivasha to Kisumu to open up the region to economic opportunities.
There had been reports that some Rift Valley politicians are keen to have the railway line diverted to Eldoret town onwards to Malava border post, bypassing Kisumu.
Mr Orengo’s request that Mr Kenyatta backs Mr Odinga in 2022, were it to be granted, puts the President in a Catch-22 situation: There is the question of legacy on which he needs Mr Odinga’s support.
There is also the question of the demand to honour a pre-election deal with his Deputy William Ruto to back him.